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RNIS 42, August 2003 WESTERN AFRICAIvory CoastThe Implementation of the Marcoussis peace agreement, which was signed in January 2003, is on -going. The warring parties (the Ivory Coast Patriotic Movement (MPCI), the Movement for Justice and Peace (MJP) and the Far West Ivory Coast People's Movement (MPIGO), which control about half of the country (see RNIS 41), officially declared the war over and pledged their loyalty to President Laurent Gbagbo, at the beginning of July 2003 (AFP, 04/07/03). The "Forces Nouvelles" (comprising the three armed opposition groups) and the army, loyal to Laurent Gbagbo, signed a new agreement at the beginning of May 2003. They, jointly with the peace- keeping forces, have subsequently deployed in western Ivory Coast to create a weapons-free zone of confidence, and disarm or expel armed Liberian elements from the area (UN SC, 08/08/03). The Government of National Reconciliation is functioning and has presented a draft programme for the implementation of the Marcoussis agreement (UN SC, 08/08/03). On the other hand, uncontrolled armed militia are still perpetrating human rights abuses and are undermining peace in the country (UN SC, 08/08/03; HRW, 05/08/03). The mandate of the peace-keeping troops has been extended for six more months (UN SC, 04/08/03). Due to a lack of resources, WFP had to reduce rations and caseloads by 30% in August. The shortfall is expected to continue until October 2003 (WFP, 22/08/03). Western regionFollowing the creation of a "weapons-free zone of confidence" in western Ivory Coast, the population which had been displaced by heavy fighting in the area has begun to return home, especially in June 2003. The situation has, however, remained tense, with the presence of gunmen; isolated communities are especially at risk (OCHA, 16/07/03). Humanitarian work with the needy Ivory Coast returnees and the newly refugees from Liberia (estimated at 30,000) is therefore limited (OCHA, 16/07/03; USCR, 07/08/03). The humanitarian situation in western Ivory Coast is reported to be dire. Many people have been hiding in the bush for months, and find their homes destroyed or looted when returning. NutritionThe nutrition situation seems highly precarious. In June 2003, about 500 severely malnourished children were taken in charge by the two TFCs in the West; and screening at mobile clinics showed that between 11% and 34% of the children screened were eligible for admission to either therapeutic or supplementary feeding centres (MSF, 10/07/03). The worst situation seemed to be in Zouan Hounien area. Moreover, there was a high proportion of children with oedema (70% of the admission in TFCs), which is characteristic of people having hidden in the bush and reflects a very serious situation. Food securityAn assessment in Zouan Hounien and Bin Houyé areas among resident, displaced and returned populations, has shown a precarious situation (ACF, 20/07/03). People who had fled fighting, have been hiding in the bush for between five and seven weeks. Before the war, the two main sources of income of the population were the sale of cash crops and the sale of agricultural produce. At the time of the survey, 75% of the population reported that their cash crop stocks had been looted and about 80% reported that their agricultural stocks had been looted; the two main sources of income for the population were petty trade and sale of agricultural produce. About 80% of the families surveyed only consumed one meal per day, compared with three meals per day before the war. The main problems cited by the population in order of importance were food, health care, water, basic assets, housing and education. The main sources of food were by purchase and gathering of wild food. However, people have begun to restart cultivation, especially rice cultivation. About 95% of the families interviewed have had access to land and 60% have already begun planting. Access to seeds did not appear to be a problem, but there was a shortage of tools. People were also complaining they could not employ workers to cultivate because of a lack of resources. Food and non-food items were available in the area, but people were lacking money to buy them. WFP was intending to begin food distributions. HealthThe health care system has totally collapsed, because it is no longer supported by government structures; the majority of health workers, who did not originate from the zone, have fled; health structures have been destroyed and/or looted, and the provision of medicines has been halted. Although humanitarian agencies are supporting health structures, they cannot replace the entire system (MSF, 10/07/03). Moreover, the population has difficulty accessing health care because of volatile security conditions and transport costs. MSF also stated that the institutional response, especially from the UN has been weak (MSF, 10/07/03). OverallImplementation of the Marcoussis peace agreements is on-going but security is still tense in some areas, and especially in the west of the country. In this area, the situation of the population, of whom a significant proportion has recently returned from displacement in the bush, is extremely precarious (category I/II), and humanitarian access is hampered by the volatile security situation. Recommendations and prioritiesZouan Hounien and Bin Houyé areas, from the AcF survey:
LiberiaAs of mid-July 2003, about four-fifths of the country were controlled by opposition armed factions: the Liberian United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the MODEL (Movement for Democracy in Liberia), whilst the rest was still controlled by the government army. Fighting reached Monrovia, the capital of the country, in early June, and the LURD has taken control of parts of the capital. The one million population of the capital and an estimated 250,000 displaced people, who had sought refuge in Monrovia, have been trapped for weeks. Following a UN resolution, peacekeepers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) began to deploy in Monrovia in early August (AFP, 02/08/03). Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president, who has been indicted by the Sierra Leone war crimes court, resigned and quit the country to Nigeria on 11 August 2003 (Alernet, 11/08/03). He handed over power to the vice-president, Mr Blah (Alertnet, 11/08/03). The political future of Liberia is, however, very uncertain, because rebels have claimed power (Le Monde, 13/08/03). Since the deployment of the ECOWAS peace-keepers, calm has returned to Monrovia, but there were still reports of insecurity and targeting of civilians, including rape and looting (DEC, 12/08/03). Renewed fighting has been reported near the port of Buchanan, between the MODEL and government forces (AFP, 12/08/03). Humanitarian access has slightly improved in Monrovia since the deployment of peace-keeping forces, but about 70% of the country is still inaccessible to humanitarian aid (Le Monde, 12/08/03). Population movementThere have been major waves of displacements during the last months. First of all, it is estimated that about 250,000 people, who were settled in displacement camps near Monrovia, have sought refuge in the town, when fighting intensified in the area (OCHA, 06/06/03). About 40,000 people have also fled from eastern Liberia to Ivory Coast (UNHCR, 31/07/03). The movement into Guinea seemed less, with about 120 Liberians per week seeking refuge in Guinea (UNHCR, 31/07/03). MonroviaThe town has been besieged for two months by the LURD. Moreover, an estimated 250,000 people, who were settled in displacement camps near Monrovia have sought refuge in the capital, where they were living in makeshift facilities in stadium or public buildings. Resident and displaced populations have further moved around, by fighting. Populations in Monrovia have had little access to basic necessities, such as food, water and medical care. Shops and banks were closed. Insecurity renders humanitarian aid delivery uncertain (DEC, 12/08/03). Moreover, fighting intensified in the last two weeks of July and the port, which was the main point for humanitarian aid shipment, has been inaccessible due to insecurity. The LURD has engaged to hand the control of the port to the ECOWAS peacekeepers as per 14 of August 2003 (le Monde, 13/08/03). This may help to deliver adequate humanitarian assistance. Prices of all commodities have risen sharply (ACF-F, 05/08/03). Rice prices have risen by 700% between May and the end of July and rice was less and less available in the market. Some food distribution for the IDP population took place in June and early July, but was then after halted by the deteriorating security conditions. Moreover, the distributions did not reach all the IDPs because of uncertain security conditions. It has been estimated that in June and July, 140,000 people received food, but they only received a two week ration (ACF-F, 05/08/03). IDPs have had few coping mechanisms available, the main one was petty trade. Some wild food was also collected in swamps, but availability of wild food in town is limited. Resident populations were able to rely on their belongings and savings, even if they were also affected, especially by the decrease of employment opportunities. Residents who possessed a garden were more able to cope (ACF-F, 05/08/03). Screenings carried out in accessible districts and IDP camps showed a poor nutrition situation. Among 6536 under-five-year olds screened between 10 June and 31 July 2003, 1965 (30%) were acutely malnourished, including 308 (4.7%) who were severely malnourished (ACF-F, 05/08/03). Two TFCs, which were opened in June and July were quartering 300 children, and 1,500 children were admitted to SFCs, as of mid-August. A cholera outbreak has also been reported (MSF, 31/07/03). OverallAfter two months of blockade, the situation is dramatic in Monrovia (category I), and especially for the IDPs. All basic needs have to be met as soon as possible. It is hoped that the deployment of the ECOWAS peacekeepers and the departure of Charles Taylor will ease the delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, the fate of thousands of people in inaccessible areas of Liberia is unknown.
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