Humanitarian Situation Report

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT EMERGENCY AND OCTOBER 2002 HUMANITARIAN ACTION WHO Liberia 1. Security update

1.1. The UN Security phase 4 (Program Suspension) is still in effect in Liberia and only UN Staff directly concerned with the emergency or humanitarian relief operations are assigned in Liberia. Because of the ongoing war, there is no access to Lofa and Gbaporlu counties and limited access to Bomi, Nimba and Grand Cape Mount counties for humanitarian assistance. Other counties are accessible.

1.2. Fighting continued in the districts of Bellefasama, Kolahun, Salayea, and Zorzor as government troops and LURD were battling it out for control of those areas including the Voinjamah stronghold of the rebels. There were reports of IDP influxes into Gbarnga (in CARI#1 IDP camp) consequent to armed activity around Zorzor and other parts of Lofa.

2. Humanitarian Situation

2.1. To update the beneficiary caseload figures, WFP carried out a verification exercise for all IDP camps in Monrovia. This exercise indicated that 110,333 IDPs are settled in camps around Monrovia, a rise of 49% compared to September caseload fed IDPs (74,049IDPs).

2.2. The population movement into Liberia following the September mutiny in Cote d’Ivoire was observed by an inter-agency team visit to Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire border in the southeast. The Humanitarian situation of returnees and refugees in the border regions (Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Maryland) was assessed. An average daily arrival across the border was 100 persons the highest and the lowest being 25 persons. Information gathered indicated that 85% of Liberian returning were women and children using regular commercial transport from Danane or arriving by canoes along the Cesstos and Cavalla rivers. Health posts at entry points were not fully functioning while returnees resorted to drinking water from creeks and open wells due to inadequate safe drinking water facilities.

3. Programme activities

3.1. National Immunization Days (NIDs) 2002: The first round of Polio Eradication Campaign (National Immunization Days-NIDs) for 2002 was organized in Liberia from 5 to 9 October 2002. WHO, UNICEF and Rotary International have been a key partners in this global effort by giving financial and technical support to the Ministry of Health. A total of 877,447 children were immunized with OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) in the first round in 14 Counties over 15 (except Lofa County because of the ongoing war) with coverage of 103%. The second round is scheduled for 9 to 12 November 2002.

3.2. IDP camps Assessment: From 23 to 25 October 2002, ten IDP camps were visited and assessed jointly by a team composed of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and WHO. This assessment was done in three counties (Nimba, Bong and Margibi) as follows: 3 IDP camps in Ganta, Nimba County (Ganta Methodist Compound, Ganta Old Girls Compound and LPMC compound); 6 IDP camps located in Gbarnga, Bong County (CARI # 1 and CARI # 2), E-J Yancy, Maimou # 1, Maimou # 2 and Maimou # 3 in Totota) and 1 IDP camp in Kakata, Margibi County (Kanneh Camp). The specific objectives of the assessment were to identify the existing NGOs in the camps and verify their function; to assess the sanitary conditions and its potential risk and possible evolution; to assess camps management coordination, the adequacy of existing response capacity and immediate additional needs, and recommend priority action for immediate response. The following observations came out from the assessment:  Inadequate water and sanitation facilities (especially in CARI #1 and CARI #2, E-J Yancy, Kanneh Camps) and unsatisfactory maintenance of existing water and sanitation facilities.  Only mobile curative health services in most IDP camps with referral to hospitals sometimes facilitated by the IDPs (by hammock or wheel barrel) in most cases and shoulder hospitals bills.  The County EPI team monthly conducts EPI activities in IDP camps especially in Bong County.  The involvement of County Health team in IDP camps coordination was not seen.  No radio communication system within IDP camps. A woman looking for a safe drinking water… … in CARI 1 IDP Camp in Gbarnga (Bong County-Liberia).

4. Meetings:

4.1 IDP Health Sector Meeting with NGOs: During the period of this report, the Health Sector regular meeting was organized on the 2 nd, 16th and 31st October 2002 at the Ministry of Health. International and National NGOs involved in Health activities in IDP setting (MSF, SCF-UK, WV, MERLIN, PMU, AFRICARE, IRC, ICRC) attended these meetings. It was the opportunity to share experiences of the field and solve problems occurring and related to IDPs welfare.

4.2 WHO/MOH Consultative Staff meeting: The regular Ministry of Health and WHO consultative staff meeting was organized on the 30th October 2002 at the MoH Conference room under the Chairmanship of the Honorable Minister of Health and Social Welfare. Participants from various programmes of the Ministry of Health and their focal point in WHO office presented their activities report followed by discussions and general comments by the Minister or WR/Liberia.

5. OTHERS:

5.1. WHO / Liberia donated three vehicles to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare: The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated three Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. These vehicles, which were valued at US$63,465.00, were donated in keeping with the program of Technical Cooperation between the WHO and the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

WHO Representative to Liberia, Dr. Omar Khatib, making the presentation said, one of the vehicle the Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance with HF Codan Radio for Reproductive health is to be used to transport emergency obstetric patients from River Gee County to the nearest referral hospital. Dr. Khatib observed that in the past, many pregnant women died in the area due to the lack of prompt referral facilities, and hoped that the ambulance will facilitate the work of Traditional Midwives who have been trained to recognize complications and make timely referrals.

Receiving the vehicles, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Peter Coleman, commended WHO for the continued assistance to the ministry in its strive to provide needed health care to the Liberian people. He spoke of the necessity of the ambulance for River Gee County, noting that it will help save the lives of mainly pregnant women, who often die of complications due to the lack of referral facilities.