Liberia
Sierra Leone
Guinea Conakry
Cote d’Ivoire
The nutritional situation for much of this region is stable or improving. In Sierra Leone, there has been an increase in the number of registered IDPs and vulnerable populations benefiting from a range of interventions since August. Since the cease-fire, larger areas of the country have become accessible to humanitarian agencies, although more slowly than was hoped. In Liberia, the nutritional situation is slowly stabilising and improving, at least in rural areas. The table below shows the numbers of affected people requiring assistance in these countries
Estimated numbers of refugees, IDPs and returnees in the Liberia/Sierra Leone Region
|
|
Dec. 97 |
Mar. 98 |
Jun. 98 |
Mar. 99 |
Jun. 99 |
Sep. 99 |
Dec. 99 |
|
Liberia |
700,000 |
726,000 |
209,000 |
495,000 |
505,000 |
505,000 |
510,000 |
|
Sierra-L |
200,000 |
200,000 |
300,000 |
400,000 |
708,000 |
758,000 |
758,000 |
|
Côte d’Iv. |
210,000 |
210,000 |
140,000 |
101,500 |
103,000 |
108,500 |
101,500 |
|
Guinea-C. |
405,000 |
405,000 |
614,000 |
470,000 |
400,000 |
488,000 |
488,000 |
|
Total |
1,515,000 |
1,541,000 |
1,263,000 |
1,466,500 |
1,716,000 |
1,859,500 |
1,857,500 |
Note that the nos. given for Liberia are those to whom WFP is giving food assistance under a variety of programmes including food-for-work, vulnerable groups and school feeding. Nos. for Sierra Leone are based on estimates of nos. of IDPs and refugees (not the number WFP is currently feeding).
The seven-year Liberian civil war ended in July 1997 and, since the elections, security conditions have improved considerably. The country continues, however, to suffer from very high unemployment levels; insufficient supplies of potable water and electricity; shortages of food, shelter and health care; and continued insecurity.
The international relief community in Liberia has focused its efforts on the resettlement and reintegration of returning refugees and IDPs. Since the start of the repatriation in May 1997, some 123,000 Liberian refugees have been assisted by UNHCR to return home. In addition it is estimated that some 200,000 Liberian refugees have spontaneously repatriated. Over half of the Liberian refugees living in surrounding countries have now repatriated and an estimated 75% of IDPs have returned to their places of origin, it is probable that the remaining 25% may stay where they are. UNHCR’s organised repatriation convoys are planned to be completed by the end of 1999. Those who are still willing to repatriate (especially from Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea) beyond this deadline will be assisted through provision of a modest repatriation package until the end of June 2000 (IRIN-WA - 28/10/99; UNHCR 01/11/99, 12/12/99; USAID - 30/09/99; WFP -17/12/99).
Nutritional situation of the returnees
The RNIS has received no new surveys or food security assessments for the returnees in Liberia over the reporting period. The most recent RNIS reports have described a nutritional situation that is slowly stabilising and improving, at least in rural areas. Agricultural production has resumed, and improved access to land and markets has led to a corresponding increase in food production, a decrease in the prevalence of malnutrition and less reliance on food aid. However, the displacement of farmers during the war resulted in the loss of their seeds and farm tools, which are still required in some areas. In addition, during the rainy season, when the roads are in poor condition, food may be harder to obtain. In some urban areas, for example, Monrovia, relatively high prevalences of malnutrition are still being recorded among IDPs (see RNIS 28).
Agricultural Outlook
A recent FAO/GIEWS report states that the overall food situation in Liberia has improved significantly in 1999 as both rice and cassava production have increased. Food supply in urban markets is relatively stable and, in general, prices are reported to be lower than in 1998. The exception to this general improvement is in Lofa County where fighting broke out in August and an estimated 25,000 people were displaced. It is unlikely that these IDPs will be able to harvest their crops (FAO -10/11/99).
Refugees
There are a total of some 90,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia. Over 10,000 of these refugees were housed in camps in Kolahun that was the site of fighting in August. These refugees have now evacuated the camps, many walking on feet to Tarvey (100 km from Kolahun) where a transit camp has been set-up. UNHCR assisted those who were unable to reach Tarvey alone. Some 12,000 of the refugees have now been transferred to a camp in Sinje under a relocation exercise that was completed in late November (IRIN-WA-28/10/99; UNHCR-26/10/99, 12/12/99).
No new information on the nutritional situation of the refugees has been received by the RNIS. The most recent surveys, in April, indicated that their nutritional situation was not critical.
Recommendations and Priorities
· Continue to supply agricultural inputs to farmers.Overall, the situation of the returnees remains at moderate risk and will continue to be so until their livelihoods become more secure (category III). The situation of the Sierra Leonean refugees is not critical (category IV).
The Lomé peace accord, which was signed in July between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), has held although there have been reports of increasing numbers of security incidents and human rights abuses during the past three months (Al - 30/11/99; HRW-27/10/99).
Efforts towards the implementation of the peace accord are underway. President Kabbah has expanded his Cabinet, which now includes members of the former RUF. A disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programme of former combatants has been set up. In addition, the UN Security council has established a peacekeeping force for Sierra Leone that will be deployed throughout the country for an initial period of 6 months to monitor the ceasefire agreement, support the implementation of the Lomé agreement, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone (OCHA - 23/10/99; UNDP - 29/11/99).
IDP Numbers
There has been an increase in the number of registered IDPs and vulnerable populations benefiting from a range of interventions since August. This may be attributed to the signing of the peace accord which has increased confidence and enabled people to come out of hiding in the bush. Humanitarian agencies are reaching previously inaccessible areas where they are conducting needs assessments. There were an estimated 308,000 registered IDPs at the end of September compared to 183,000 in August (the September figure does not include the IDPs from Kambia of whom there were an estimated 20,000 in August). Best estimates put the total number of IDPs in the country at between 700,000 and 1,000,000, although exact figures are not available currently due to the continuing inaccessibility of many regions. Almost 500,000 Sierra Leoneans are refugees living in neighbouring countries (OCHA - 30/09/99; WFP -17/12/99).
Food Assistance
Since the cease-fire, larger areas of the country have become accessible to humanitarian agencies, although more slowly than was hoped. There are concerns that the collective resources of food aid agencies will be insufficient to address increasing needs. There are reports of continuing food shortages in many areas of the north. Food continues to be regularly distributed to registered beneficiaries in all accessible areas including the IDP camps in Kenema, Bo, Blama and Freetown. In September, for which the most recent figures are available, WFP/CARE/CRS provided food aid to 268,000 IDPs and war-affected persons. WFP plans to provide food assistance to up to 580,000 people in the next six months, although this is dependent on access. In rural areas a significant portion of food aid is being distributed through food-for-work and food-for-agriculture programmes (OCHA - 09/10/99; USAID - 07/10/99; WFP -17/12/99).
Agricultural Outlook
An FAO/GIEWS analysis of food and crop shortages in Sierra Leone has reported that growing conditions have generally been favourable since the beginning of the season, despite reduced rains in late July and August. Output is expected to remain similar to the 1998 level despite the improvement in security following the Lomé agreement because insecurity earlier in the season prevented the delivery of agricultural inputs and disrupted farming activities. Even if the peace agreement does hold, the country will continue to rely on external food assistance for several years (FAO -10/11/99).
General health and nutrition
Outbreaks of malaria, measles and cholera have been reported in the past three months. The RNIS has not received any nutritional surveys or food security assessments from Sierra Leone during the reporting period.
Northern Province
The security situation over the reporting period was still tense in Northern Province; leading to the temporary suspension of humanitarian assistance in some areas. NGOs attempting to re-start relief activities have reported difficulties. Reports have also indicated that residents are forced to give food to armed combatants (OCHA - 09/10/99, 23/10/99).
Kambia District
There have been reports of armed groups attacking villages in the Kambia district. The harassment has reportedly led civilians (some of whom had just returned from refugee camps in Guinea) to flee their villages and head back to the refugee camps, or areas very close to the Guinean border. MSF-H is providing limited health and nutritional interventions in the district. WFP is planning to undertake a needs assessment in this area when security conditions allow (OCHA - 09/10/99,06/11/99; WFP - 29/10/99).
Makeni
The town of Makeni was temporarily occupied by RUF rebels during the reporting period (IRIN-WA - 20/10/99). ACF-F is treating a large number of malnourished people in its therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes (OCHA - 30/09/99). The last RNIS reported on an assessment in Makeni in July that estimated the prevalence of malnutrition at 34% in Makeni town and even higher in areas outside the town,
Southern Province
The Freetown peninsula has remained relatively secure throughout the reporting period, with no major security incidents. MERLIN continues to provide mobile and normal clinics in Freetown: 1285 cholera cases were reported in Freetown in from September 1st October 17th, most of these have been from eastern or central parts of the city. The incidence of cases has been steady over the reporting period (MERLIN-12/99).
Eastern Province
Kenema
IDPs previously occupying school buildings in Kenema have been transferred to various camps including Nyandeyama and Blama. Construction of booths for the IDPs is underway. WFP has reported that 38% of IDPs have voluntarily returned to their place of origin (OCHA - 09/10/99, 23/10/99; WFP-05/11/99).
MERLIN has reported that the nutritional crisis in Kenema district has “continued to deepen” with the progression of the hunger season. There continues to be an increase in the number of admissions to the therapeutic and supplementary feeding programmes in Kenema town, I DP camps and in some chiefdoms within the district, Outreach programmes including nutritional screenings have recorded high rates of malnutrition, particularly in Nyawama camp and Dodo. The most recent survey in this area, in June, estimated the prevalence of wasting and/or oedema at 19.9% (see RNIS 27). Graveyard monitoring, however, has not shown particularly elevated mortality rates in Kenema town or camp, or Blama or Konta. Furthermore, prices of food commodities are beginning to decrease as the road transport becomes more reliable (MERLIN -12/99).
Kailahun
A WFP mission to Kailahun has established the need to provide vulnerable group feeding rations to the elderly and children in Segwema. In Daru, the nutritional situation was reported to be satisfactory compared to the situation in late September. The improvement may be attributed to ongoing harvests and increased access to previously held-RUF areas (WFP - 03/12/99). A nutritional survey is currently being undertaken in Kailahun (OCHA - 30/09/99).
Kailahun’s towns have suffered considerable structural damage during the war. WFP and World Vision have started to rehabilitate the Kenema-Kailahun road which runs through RUF controlled areas. The road will serve as a vital supply route for humanitarian operations and will also allow farmers to sell their produce at nearby towns more easily (OCHA -30/09/99; WFP-03/12/99).
Refugees
There is no new information on the nutritional situation of the approximately 8,000 Liberian refugees in Sierra Leone.
Repatriation of refugees
Over 3,000 Sierra Leonean refugees have spontaneously returned from Liberia during the reporting period. Most of the refugees are reported to be in relatively good condition. Lack of shelter is crucial, as many of the returnees’ villages have been damaged by the war. Given the poor security situation, UNHCR is unable to establish itself in the returnee areas and thus cannot monitor the situation or provide emergency assistance (OCHA - 23/10/99).
The time-frame of the organised repatriation operation is closely tied to the implementation of the Lomé peace agreement, particularly the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, and also humanitarian access. UNHCR has not started the repatriation programme yet because of the security conditions in Sierra Leone (UNHCR -12/12/99).
Recommendations and Priorities:
· WFP’s operation to assist refugees and IDPs has only received 36% of the total funding required.Overall, the IDPs in Kenema and the Northern Province are at high risk of malnutrition. The nutritional risk of the IDPs in the southern and western Provinces is moderate (category III). The nutritional situation of the other IDPs and the refugees is unknown (category V).
Guinea-Conakry hosts approximately 488,000 refugees. Of these some 120,000 are Liberian and some 366,000 are from Sierra Leone. The remaining refugees are from a variety of countries, mainly Guinea-Bissau. The majority of the refugees are housed in Gueckadou (360,000), but there are also some 60,000 in Forecariah and a further 60,000 in N’zerekore (UNHCR-12/12/99).
Gueckadou
In terms of nutrition, the refugee population in Gueckadou can be split into two groups: (i) “new” refugees, who are provided with a full general ration of 2100/Kcal/person/day (6% of the total refugee population), and (ii) vulnerable groups who receive 1750/Kcal/person/day (60% of the total population). The first group consists of those who arrived after 1998, but have not yet been resettled, and the second group is those who arrived before 1998 but are considered vulnerable.
An interagency mission in October reported that only 10% of the refugee population in Gueckadou benefits from programmes to increase their self-sufficiency; 8% were enrolled in agricultural programmes and 2% in income-generating activities. Gueckadou is a very densely populated area (there are more than 70 people/km2 in the southern part of the prefecture) and it is difficult to establish agricultural programmes (UNHCR/WFP - 09/99).
The mission concluded that although the first group of refugees - those who received a full ration - were receiving 100% of their needs, the second group of refugees were not receiving sufficient food assistance(UNHCR/WFP - 09/99). Although the survey in RNIS 28 which was undertaken in late June reported a low prevalence of wasting in this population (2.4%).
The most recent estimates of the mortality rates for the Gueckadou refugees (from July) are 0.2/10,000/day for the total population and 0.18/10,000/day for children under-five years. These rates are within acceptable limits, although in some camps they are reported to be elevated (UNHCR/WFP-09/99).
Recommendations and priorities:
From the interagency assessment in Gueckadou:
· Distribute a full ration for all the refugees - including both the vulnerable groups and the newly-arrived groups.Overall, despite the relatively low prevalence of malnutrition among the refugees in Gueckadou, the recent interagency mission reported that the food security situation of this group is poor. Thus the refugees are considered to be at moderate nutritional risk (category III).· Re-orientate the agricultural programmes to take into account the limitations of land availability in the area.
· Strengthen the income generating projects.
· Conduct a food security assessment.
Cote d’Ivoire currently hosts more than 100,000 Liberian refugees and some 1,500 Sierra Leoneans. This number has been decreasing as some of the Liberians repatriate. No new information is available on the nutritional situation of these refugees, which was reported to be satisfactory in RNIS 27 (category IV).
