WEST AFRICA

Ivory Coast
Guinea
Liberia
Sierra Leone

WEST AFRICAN REGION

West Africa is experiencing renewed crisis. The new onset of violence in Liberia further displaced thousands of people to the interior of the country or in neighbouring countries. Others are simply seeking refuge in the bush near their homes. Ivory Coast is also currently experiencing trouble. Although Sierra Leone is at peace, reconstruction is difficult.

There is concern for the populations of Liberia and Sierra Leone, with regard to living conditions and protection. MSF expressed their concern about the lack of basic services for returnees to Sierra Leone and stated that people’s basic rights are not protected when resettled (MSF, 24/09/02). Widowed or separated women face special difficulties in claiming their properties and are still experiencing violence (USCR, 26/07/02).

In Guinea, sexual exploitation in refugee camps continues despite some programmes having been put in place. This issue needs to be better addressed (USCR, 26/07/02).

In Liberia, there have been reports of harassment of the population and people have been prevented from crossing the borders to neighbouring countries, or being obliged to pay (MSF, 24/09/02; USCR, 26/07/02).

There is a great need to address these problems which returnees and the civilian population are facing for some years.

Estimated number of refugees and returnees, August 2002

	Liberian refugees	Sierra Leonan refugees	Sierra Leonan repatriated by UNHCR
Ivory Coast	132,600	2,000
Guinea	47,000 in camps	43,000 in camps	18,000
	60,000 in towns
Sierra Leone	33,600
Liberia		30,000	30,900

Afrique de l’Ouest L’Afrique de l’Ouest est en proie à de nouvelles crises. Alors que la Sierra Leone est en paix, le Liberia connaît un regain de violence depuis le début de l’année et la Côte d’Ivoire est déstabilisée par une opposition armée. La situation des populations d’Afrique de l’Ouest est inquiétante. MSF a dénoncé les conditions de réinstallation des populations de Sierra Leone à leur retour d’exil. Les femmes sont les plus vulnérables car elles ont du mal à récupérer leurs propriétés et sont victimes de violence. De même, l’exploitation sexuelle continue dans les camps de réfugiés en Guinée, bien qu’elle ait été dénoncée. Les problèmes auxquels font face ces populations doivent être urgemment résolus.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is experiencing troubles following a mutiny by soldiers on the 19^th September 2002. At the beginning of October, soldiers controlled two major towns in the North of the country, including Buake, the second largest town of the country and some smaller towns (BBCNews, 02/10/02). Army reprisals, as they were looking for rebels, targeted an area in the suburbs of Abidjan hosting many migrants; houses were burned. About 6,000 Ivorians, immigrants and refugees are reported to be homeless (UNHCR, 02/10/02). They were looking for shelter and were in need of food and adequate sanitation (IFRC, 24/09/02). The Ivorian representatives called for cessation of attacks on migrant; they also blamed foreign countries for helping the rebels (BBCNews, 22/09/02).

In a country exposed to economic crisis, there has been increasing resentment against migrants and migrants’ descendants. There is a fear that this may degenerate into a civil conflict involving ethnic/political and religious groups.

Refugees

Since the beginning of the fighting in Liberia and Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast has hosted thousands of refugees. Unlike many other countries, where the refugees are settled in camps, in Ivory Coast they are settled in the host community in a 500-km-long and 50 km-wide stretch of land bordering Liberia. The area is designated as Zone d’Accueil des Réfugiés (ZAR). Only one camp had been settled in 1995 (Nicla camp). Refugees are registered in the Danane transit centre at their arrival. At the end of 2001, it was estimated that the area counted about 120,000, mostly Liberian, refugees. Refugees from Sierra Leone are estimated at around 2,000 (UNHCR, 24/05/02). Although the government of the Ivory Coast wants the integration of refugees, refugees themselves have reported harassment when travelling and restricted access to land and work (RI, 24/07/02). From the beginning of 2002 until July 2002, UNHCR had registered 15,560 new Liberian refugees in Ivory Coast, of which 3,800 were settled in Nicla camp. WFP is providing food assistance for the refugees in Nicla camp and Danane transit centre (WFP, 19/07/02).

The mortality rate has been reported to be 0.03/10000/day in Nicla camp. In Danane transit centre, a rate of malnutrition of 7.8% with no case of severe malnutrition has been reported. (The source and methodology of this assessment was not reported.) (WFP, 21/06/02).

Two hundred refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia have sought assistance from UNHCR after their homes were burnt in Abidjan (see above) (UNHCR, 24/09/02). The impact of the current crisis on the refugee situation in ZAR is unknown at the time this issue was completed.

Recommendation and priorities

· Monitor the situation of the migrants and refugees and provide additional relief if needed

Guinea

Refugees

Guinea hosts a large number of Sierra Leonan and Liberian refugees, comprising 47,000 Liberian refugees and 43,000 Sierra Leonans in seven camps and one transit centre and more than 60,000 Liberian living in towns along the Liberian border (UNHCR, 07/08/02). The past months have seen some refugee movement. Sierra Leonans have been repatriated while new arrivals from Liberia have been registered as a result of the onset of fighting in Liberia (see table).

Refugee influx (OCHA, 26/07/02)

	Liberian refugees arrival	Sierra Leonan refugees repatriation
January	914	1,878
February	490	1,728
March	2,290	2,975
April	2,456	5,255
May	6,814	2,195
June	400	3,899
July	5,447	0
Total	22,811	17,930

Camps are overcrowded, particularly Kouankan and Kola camps, near Nzerekore, where most of the new refugees have been transferred from the border (UNHCR, 07/08/02). A new site near Laine in Nzerekore has been opened and will host about 6,000 refugees (WFP, 13/09/02). The new influx of arrivals has some impact on the host communities and refugees (OCHA, 26/07/02). There has been a decline in the sanitary conditions of the camps, a deterioration in the basic standard of living among the host population, and increased hostility between refugees and host communities. Sexual exploitation in the camps seems to continue, although sensitization programmes have been implemented. So far, UNHCR has received only 10% of the US$ 3 million required to address the problem (USCR, 07/02).

Internally Displaced Persons

Insecurity in 2000, particularly in the Parrot’s Beak area, as well as the 2001 floods in Upper Guinea have led to the displacement of thousands of Guineans, who had been integrated with resident populations to a large extent. The number of IDPs has been highly controversial. A census conducted at the beginning of the year identified a total of 82,000 IDPs (OCHA, 26/07/02). No recent nutrition information has been made available to RNIS for this group.

Macenta prefecture

A nutrition survey was carried out in the rural and urban areas of Macenta prefecture by ACH in March 2002 (ACH, 03/02); 2.1% of the surveyed families were refugees and 1.5% were displaced. The survey revealed that 8.0% of the surveyed children suffered from acute malnutrition including 0.9% presenting severe acute malnutrition; only one child presented oedema. Measles vaccination coverage was reported to be 37.8%, according to the card and 74.5% if the mother’s history was added. The crude and under-five mortality rates were both 1.4/10000/day. The nutrition situation of this population is average and may be improved.

Overall The situation of the refugees seems to have deteriorated, partly due to the influx of new arrivals. The issue of sexual exploitation has to be addressed urgently.

Recommendations and priorities

· Support the arrival of the new refugees
· Increase the funds and programmes to address sexual exploitation

Liberia

The onset of fighting between the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the army, since the beginning of the year, has seen an increasing number of people fleeing insecurity, especially in May and June 2002. Since then, the influx has decreased. The Northern area has been the most affected by conflict. In mid September the Liberian president Charles Taylor lifted the state of emergency he had imposed in February because of reduced danger from rebels (BBCNews, 14/09/02). He also stated that he is categorically against foreign peacekeeping forces in Liberia (OCHA, 17/09/02).

Internally displaced people

It is estimated that there are about 196,000 IDPs. More than 50% are located in six camps in Montserrado county, in Monrovia suburb, the others being located in Bong county (Cari 1 and 2, Totota), Margibi county (Kakata), Nimba county (Ganta) and Gran Bassa county (Buchanan) (WHO, 31/08/02).

In addition to people in camps, some have sought refuge in towns, particularly in Monrovia where they are living with relatives or in abandoned buildings. Nevertheless, they are increasingly going to live in the camps where they receive some help (OCHA, 13/09/02).

A MOH/WHO joint assessment mission in IDP camps in Montserrado county carried out at the end of August 2002 reported insufficient chlorination of water and poor health care with lack of 24 hour health services, poor nutrition, no epidemiological surveillance and uncoordinated routine immunization services (WHO, 31/08/02). ACF reported a large increase in admissions to TFCs and SFCs in Montserrado county, particularly in the months of May and June.

An outbreak of cholera has been reported, with 661 cases in Montserado county (WHO, 13/09/02).

Due to delay in food arrivals, less than the full food ration has been delivered for some time to IDPs and refugees. The delivery of a full ration resumed in September. WFP is distributing food to 126,500 displaced persons and refugees (OCHA, 05/09/02).

Northern area

A mission was conducted in early September in Tubnamburg; nearly all the population had fled from here following attacks. Tubnamburg was recently retaken by the government. About 6,000 people came back to the town after living in the bush. They are able to get food from abandoned farms. However, the situation still needs to be closely monitored (WFP, 13/09/02).

Bong county

A survey of the new arrivals from Lofa county was conducted in July in Cari 1 and 2 transit shelter by ACF (ACF, 07/02). Those questioned reported they had survived on wild food in the bush near their villages for up to four months. As the insecurity and the harassment increased, they decided to flee. They arrived without any food items or belongings because of insecurity on the road. It seems that the new IDPs have not been registered to receive WFP ration yet.

During the hunger gap, from May to August, host populations as well as previously displaced persons and new IDPs are using the same coping mechanisms: consuming wild food and cassava. The burden of new IDPs is increasing further and putting additional pressure on food supply. In addition, food availability in the markets was very poor and prices were extremely high.

There were very few sources of income. The only day jobs available were weeding on resident farms. An IDP could only get a contract for two days a week and the salary was very low; only one third of normal rates.

A nutritional assessment using MUAC measurement showed that of 579 children measured (both new and old IDPs), 2.2% presented a MUAC of less than 11 cm, 7.8 % presented a MUAC between 11 cm and 12 cm, and a further 7.6 % presented a MUAC between 12 cm and 12.5 cm. This indicates an average situation.

Water supply was reported to be adequate, however, sanitation was insufficient. The situation of the IDPs will probably not improve rapidly as farming activities have been disrupted by insecurity in Bong county with the crop calendar delayed for one month, planting surface reduced and farms abandoned for a while.

Refugees

No new information has been obtained regarding the refugee situation. However, the refugee population, which was further displaced as a result of insecurity, is considered to experience the same poor living conditions as the displaced.

Overall The situation of displaced, refugee and resident population in affected areas is of concern (category II).

Recommendations and priorities

· Improve the conditions of the camps receiving new arrivals
· Monitor the situation of the resident population in affected areas

Sierra Leone

The overall situation within the country remains stable, whereas the border area with Liberia is still insecure. Six chiefdoms of Kailahun district have been declared safe for repatriation in August, whilst two (Malama and Kissi Teng) remain unsafe (OCHA, 31/08/02). President Kabbah asked UN forces to stay longer than late September. He is concerned about the destabilisation of the whole country, which could result from the on-going fighting in Liberia. He is also concerned that security will deteriorate when a war-crimes tribunal begins next year (OCHA, 10-09-02). The UN mission mandate has been extended for six months (UNSC, 24/09/02). The Sierra Leone government seeks to boost the economy in the country. The President pronounced a ban on illegal diamond mining in order to assure total control of diamond sales (AFP, 29/08/02). Diamond exploitation was one of the major causes of the civil war in the country.

Refugees, returnees and IDPs

Repatriation of Sierra Leonan refugees continues. Repatriation from Guinea resumed mid-August following a 40 day interruption due to a shortage of trucks (UNHCR, 16/08/02). Sierra Leonan refugees were also repatriated by boat from Liberia. It is estimated that 30,888 Sierra Leonans have been repatriated by UNHCR from Liberia this year and more than 18,000 from Guinea. More than that have spontaneously returned. UNHCR temporarily suspended repatriation procedures at the beginning of September as not many people seemed to want to return (UNHCR, 10/09/02). 270 from the 2,000 who sought refuge in Nigeria have expressed a willingness to be repatriated. The unaccompanied and separated minors, many of whom were born in Liberia, constitute a special issue (IRIN 20-26/07/02).

Liberian refugees continue to enter Sierra Leone but the flow is less than in previous months. As of August, 33,576 Liberian refugees were registered (see table).

Numbers of registered Liberian refugees in Sierra Leone, (OCHA, 31/08/02)

Location	Registered population
Bandajuma	4,814
Taiama	6,383
Jimmi/Bagbo	6,048
Gondama	3,267
Jembe	6,401
Gerihun	6,663
Total	33,576

Some refugees have been relocated from the Liberian border into camps in Bo and Kenema (OCHA, 31/08/02).

The government wants to reclaim government land and asked 10,000 IDPs in the Clay Factory camp near Freetown to move within three months. IDPs want more discussion for proper planing and more time to prepare the move (PANA, 18/08/02).

Resettlement and re-integration of the returnees

The last returnees from a transit area in Bari have been resettled to their home in eastern Kono and Kailahun district (IRIN, 10-16/08/02). Relocation of returnees from the Freetown camps continues (OCHA, 31/08/02). There is deep concern about the living conditions of resettled returnees, particularly in the most war-affected districts of Kono and Kailahun, where in some areas more than 70% of homes have been destroyed. According to USCR, some homes are occupied by squatters. Women on their own face particular obstacles to re-integration; they have difficulties reclaiming property, which traditionally belongs to men. They also experience violence. During the war 72% had experienced human rights abuses and more than 50% were victims of sexual violence. There is a call for new programmes especially for women, to help them both psychologically and materially (USCR, 19/07/02).

Tonkolili district

A nutritional survey was carried out by ACF in February 2002 in Tonkolili district in the Northern part of Sierra Leone (ACF, 02/02). People began to come back to Tonkolili district from March 2001. Three main food economy zones coexist in the district: the gold-based zone in the northeast, the agricultural and livestock subsistence in the north and trading in the south. The survey revealed a dramatic improvement in the nutritional situation since October 1997 (see table), the last previous survey in this district, which was thereafter inaccessible for security reasons. Although Tonkolili was one of the most affected districts during the war, the nutritional situation now seems under control. The measles vaccination coverage, however, is low with only 27.5 % coverage confirmed by card and 66.9 % when also taking into account mother’s statement. Health structures re-opened gradually and are supported by NGOs but the district is still not totally covered for health and water facilities. However, a high number of returnees is still expected and the situation has to be carefully monitored.

Malnutrition rate, Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone (ACF, 02/02)

	October 1997	February 2002
Acute malnutrition (95 % CI)	18.9 % (15.4 23)	5.6 % (3.7 8.3)
Severe acute malnutrition (95 % CI)	3.1 % (1.7 5.3)	0.6 % (0.1-2.0)

Kenema district

Internally displaced old people

A survey was undertaken by Help Age International in Kenema district, Nongowa chiefdom, on vulnerable internally displaced elderly (Helpage, 02/02). The survey targeted the most vulnerable (see annex), and is not representative of the entire population of the elderly. Those surveyed were aged 70 to 85 years. Among them, 80 % presented a BMI < 18.5, defined as malnourished, which included 46 % with a BMI < 16, defined as severe Chronic Energy Deficiency; 78 % presented a MUAC < 22 cm. Main food sources were relief food (41%), wood selling (27%) and gardening (8%). This pattern was completely different from that of 1990, defined as a normal year, when the major food sources were farming (57 %) and cash crop sales (24 %). The use of the available food also changed, 54 % of the food being eaten at the time of the survey versus 38 % before the war. Slightly more food is sold than before and only 3% of food is stored compared to 18% before war. The major income sources are wood selling (48%), relief items (25%), begging (9%) and gardening (8%). Before the war, the major sources of income were farming and cash crops (69%) followed by trading (10 %) and livestock (8%). This survey, even if only targeted on the most vulnerable of the elderly shows a poor nutritional status and reflects the change in the food security situation after ten years of war.

Resettlers

A joint assessment mission was carried out by UNOCHA, NaCSA and Africare in Dama, Koya and Gaura chiefdoms in August 2002. There were 6,000 IDPs who had resettled at that time, increasing the local population by 90% (OCHA, 31/08/02). According to former IDPs, they are struggling more for water or school fees for their children than previously. However, some reported enhanced well being, compared to when they lived in the camp.

Kailahun district

Kailahun district is hosting both refugees from Liberia as well as Sierra Leonean returnees from Guinea and Liberia. A food security survey was carried out by ACF in May 2002 in Kissi Tenge, Kissi Tongi, Kissi Kama and Luawa chiefdoms (ACF, 05/02). At the time of the survey, these areas had not been declared safe. Housing, water and sanitation facilities and health facilities had been destroyed.

Liberian refugees

Refugees are settled either in camps (Buedu, 1,268 people; Kailahun, 250 people) or in communities in temporary shelters. Most of refugees prefer to stay in the Northern area, because they are closer to home; they are waiting for relatives; they share the culture and language of the host population and they can cultivate fields. The newly-arrived refugees reports to have come with very few belongings, and with no food or seeds. Initially, they were provided with food and shelter by the host community on their arrival. However, this has not been the case for some time because the food stock of the host community has been exhausted. Both refugees and host communities rely on wild food. About 70 % of the refugees in camps are considered poor, whilst 20 % are considered as middle-income and 10% as better off. Wealth was mostly related to the number of people in the family (the largest families are poorer), the land cultivated (poor families have less land) and time of arrival; the newly-arrived being more vulnerable. Refugee income-generating schemes are numerous: palm fruit and kola nut harvesting and processing, collection of pepper bushes, farming, labouring for residents, casual labour, wood selling, stick collection for reconstruction and water collection. They are in competition with returnees for jobs.

Sierra Leonean returnees

Sierra Leonean returnees came back both from Guinea and Liberia, some because of the recent insecurity in Liberia. Returnees from Guinea have been able to come back with some food, unlike those from Liberia. The middle-income and better-off returnees from Liberia have been supported in terms of food and housing material by their families who had remained in Sierra Leone. They were also able to come back with some belongings. The poorest, including female headed households, came without anything. Most of the interviewed households spontaneously returned and did not receive any food assistance. The food sources varied (see table).

Food sources of Sierra Leonan returnees in Kailahun district (ACF, 05/02)

	Poor		Middle		Better-off
	From Liberia	From Guinea	From Liberia	From Guinea	From Liberia	From Guinea
Own crop (%)	0	20	0	20	0	30
Wild food (%)	25	25	20	10	10	5
Exchange/labour (%)	20	30	0	0	0	0
Purchase (%)	15	15	40	40	40	50
Kinship (%)	10	10	20	20	30	5
Food aid (%)	10	10	10	10	10	10
Loan (%)	20		10		10

Sources of income were much the same as for Liberian refugees but also included petty trading. The better-off households coming from Guinea also received remittances from relatives in Guinea or other countries. This represented about 30% of their income.

Having seeds for plantation was one of the major issues for the returnees. The major source of seeds for the poorest households was labour exchange, followed by loans, family support and humanitarian aid. Middle-income households also mostly relied on labour exchange and loans, while the better-off were supported by loans and family support.

Depending on the date of their arrival, returnees face different problems. Returnees who arrived before January 2002 were able to cultivate different sorts of crops such as rice, cassava, groundnuts and vegetables. They have to share with newly-arrived members, which reduces food security in the long term and makes difficult to save seeds.

Those who came in April missed the registration for seed distribution. They had to borrow seeds and will have to reimburse these from their harvest.

People who came in April-August will mostly depend on relief food and casual work.

Kono district

Kono district has been one of the districts most affected by the war. Since the war ended, farming, cash crop plantation, trading and diamond mining have resumed. About 90% of the structures were destroyed during the war, including health facilities. Water and sanitation facilities are almost non-existent. Of the resettled community, 60% came from Guinea, 30% from Bo/Kenema and 10% from bush camps within Kono district. ACF carried out a food security survey in the district in May 2002 (ACF, 05/02)

The returnees have the same sources of income as before the war but they are carrying them out on a smaller scale because of a lack of means: farmers don’t have enough crops, diamond miners lost their equipment, cash crop farmers lost their marketing network. The majority of those who returned at the beginning of the year have been able to plant several crops and have also been involved in several kinds of income-generating activities.

The others did not plant upland rice (normally in May-June) because of a lack of seeds or late returns. They plan to plant swamp rice in September, obtaining seeds from relief or using their incomes. The large cacao and coffee plantations have suffered from the war and it will need some time to have yields similar to those before the war. The palm oil harvest from April to June is one of the major sources of income for returnees. Seeds were obtained mostly from purchase or labour exchange, followed by loans and humanitarian aid. The sources of income for the poor are mostly the sale of vegetables and bush crops. For others it is contract labour, wood selling and palm oil processing. Middle-income households derive their income mostly from palm oil processing and small trading, whilst the better-off rely on palm oil processing for 70%. Returnees mostly depend on purchasing their food (see table).

Source of food, returnees, Kono district (ACF, 05/02)

	Poor	Middle	Better-off
Purchase (%)	35	50	65
Loan (%)	25	20	15
Gift (%)	20	15	5
Humanitarian aid (%)	10	10	10
Bush harvest (%)	10	5	5

Overall Returnees are facing difficult conditions in districts particularly affected by war. They lack basic services and infrastructure such as shelter, health care, water and sanitation. They are, however, considered at moderate risk of malnutrition (category III). The situation of the new Liberian refugees is unknown (category V).

Recommendations and priorities

From the inter-agency assessment in Kenema district

· Support existing and resettling households with seeds and tools.
· Continue efforts to re-unify families
· Enhance the provision of basic services such as health, education and agriculture
· Raise protection issues to combat and alleviate the abuse many have suffered.

· Food aid and rice seed distribution are not recommended along the border with Liberia because it could increase the risk of looting

· Short season seeds (cassava, vegetables) should be distributed in non-border areas

· Ensure registration of unassisted spontaneous returnees

· Follow-up of the food security situation.

· Provide food and non-food assistance to spontaneous resettling households
· Distribute food for agriculture
· Distribution seeds and tools according to the planting seasons
· Ensure registration of unassisted spontaneous return
· Rehabilitate or construct water, sanitation and health facilities
· Undertake a nutrition survey

· Ensure basic services access to the population
· Strengthen livelihood of the returnees
· Provide particular attention to female headed households