CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR
2001
UNITED NATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES, PLEASE CONTACT:
UN OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
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TEL.: (41 22) 917.1972 FAX: (41 22) 917.0368 E-MAIL: [email protected]
THIS DOCUMENT CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON http://www.reliefweb.int/ TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 1
TABLE I :TOTAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS - BY AGENCY AND COUNTRY ...... 3
TABLE II: SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS BY SECTOR AND APPEALING AGENCY...... 4
SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW...... 5
1. Background ...... 5 2. Impact on the humanitarian situation ...... 5 3. Regional and International Response ...... 6 4. Sub-regional Linkages...... 7 5. Sub-regional Challenges...... 8 6. Rationale for a Sub-regional and Multi-disciplinary Approach ...... 9
TABLE III: SUB-REGION : SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR...... 11
B. PROBLEM ANALYSIS ...... 13
THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA – SPIRALING VIOLENCE THREATENS...... 13
TABLE IV: GUINEA : SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR ...... 15
SIERRA LEONE – PROSPECTS FOR PEACE SEVERELY COMPROMISED...... 17
TABLE V: SIERRA LEONE : SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR ...... 19
LIBERIA – GROWING EMERGENCY IN POST CONFLICT SITUATION ...... 20
TABLE VI: LIBERIA : SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR ...... 22
THE REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE-- AN UNEASY CALM PREVAILS ...... 23
C. THE COMMON HUMANITARIAN ACTION PLAN...... 25
1. Introduction...... 25 2. Scenarios ...... 25 3. Competencies and Capacities Analysis...... 27 4. Strategic Objectives ...... 31 5. Principles for Humanitarian Action ...... 32 6. Sub-Regional Humanitarian Goals...... 32 7. Linkages with other Assistance Programmes ...... 32 8. Criteria for Prioritisation...... 33
TABLE VII: SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS BY APPEALING AGENCY...... 34
TABLE VIII: SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS BY SECTOR ...... 37
iii D. SECTORS TO BE ADDRESSED ...... 41
A. AGRICULTURE ...... 41 B. CHILD PROTECTION...... 55 C. COORDINATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES...... 63 D. SUPPORT SERVICES...... 79 E. ECONOMIC RECOVERY ...... 83 F. EDUCATION AND YOUTH AND PEACE...... 89 G. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ...... 101 H. FOOD ASSISTANCE...... 105 I. HEALTH AND NUTRITION...... 111 J. HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW ...... 133 K. MULTI-SECTOR ...... 137 L. HIV/AIDS PREVENTION – SUB-REGIONAL...... 152 M. SECURITY ...... 157 N. SHELTER AND NON-FOOD ASSISTANCE ...... 161 O. WATER AND SANITATION...... 167
ANNEX I: ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... 173
iv v vi UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA
A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The West African sub-region, including Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire, continues to be battered by escalating political and economic instability. The sub-region is at great risk of degenerating into a massive complex emergency, which will further devastate the lives and precarious livelihoods of millions of civilians. Guinea is now saddled with a humanitarian crisis and a heightened insecurity way beyond its capacity to cope. Prospects for peace in Sierra Leone have been severely compromised by renewed hostilities and political inertia. Sporadic fighting, economic stagnation, a severe decline in international aid and the imposition of sanctions, render the recovery process in Liberia perilously close to collapse. Côte d'Ivoire, a previously stable powerhouse in the sub-region, has been rocked by violent altercations. In the last year alone, the country has seen one successful coup, several failed attempts, a popular uprising and civil unrest, which have had far reaching consequences, including death, human rights abuse and a mass exodus of foreigners.
All told, the current situation is characterised by:
• A pervasive insecurity in parts of Sierra Leone, complicating the resettlement and reintegration of refugee returnees, IDPs and ex-combatants;
• Insecurity in the border areas between Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, which causes further displacement of refugees, and their sudden return to already overcrowded host communities and IDP camps in Sierra Leone;
• The emergence of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities, which has compounded Guinea’s refugee burden;
• Ethnic polarisation, cross-border insurgency and economic stagnation in Liberia, which has left the population as impoverished and vulnerable as they were during the civil war;
• A tense political and ethnic environment in Côte d’Ivoire, which continues to trigger the exodus of foreigners, most of them, migrant workers from Burkina Faso and Mali;
• Increasingly complex and massive population displacement patterns, related security risks for both humanitarian actors and beneficiaries, and lack of humanitarian access, which render humanitarian assistance efforts expensive and of limited impact.
Given this context, a coherent, sub-regional approach is indispensable to minimising further human suffering and simultaneously achieving peace and security. Timely and appropriate action is urgently needed to respond to new humanitarian needs particularly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, in support of (not in place of) preventive political and economic measures that Côte d’Ivoire could also benefit from.
This Document outlines the overall sub-regional framework for humanitarian operations in the West Africa sub-region during the year 2001. It forecasts a wide range of programmes aimed at addressing specific humanitarian needs in each country and in the sub-region as a whole. It is the product of the joint efforts of UN country teams and their corresponding regional offices, in consultation with government and non-governmental partners as well as Donor representatives. The process began with extensive inter-agency consultations in October 2000, which resulted in the elaboration of the sub-regional humanitarian strategy, which has been updated and integrated into this document. Priority programmes consistent with this strategy were subsequently developed through in-country consultations between appealing agencies and their partners. The Sub-regional CAP is designed to complement the ongoing humanitarian care and maintenance efforts in the sub-region.
Security concerns both for humanitarian workers and for beneficiaries constitute one of the key challenges in the sub-region. The sub-region also carries the burden of economic decline, which exacerbates its ability to cope with emerging humanitarian needs. Three out of the four countries trail each other at the bottom of the UN Human Development Index, with Sierra Leone coming up the rear, as the 175th country, Liberia following closely at 174th and Guinea, representing the eighth position of least developed countries in the world. Despite many years of economic success, Côte d’Ivoire’s economy has begun to plunge.
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Although the country contexts and needs vary to some extent, the programmes selected for this Appeal meet a common criteria of addressing life-saving needs, tackling issues that cut across the borders, are cost effective and are feasible in the short-term. All the programmes focus on a vulnerable population (IDPs and refugees/returnees), and their host communities.
The Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) presents the essence of a sub-regional strategy, which should safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable civilian victims of actual or future violent conflicts, and simultaneously contribute to reducing some of the underlying threats to peace and stability in the sub-region. The strategy is designed to achieve heightened humanitarian preparedness, and accord flexibility to sub-regional managers to address critical needs and prevent a further deterioration of the various related crises. Even though most of the countries are in response mode, Agencies continue to develop parallel contingency plans, with a view to preventing the worst-case scenario.
Context Analysis: Specifically, the document presents synopses of the country and sub-regional contexts, in particular political, ethnic, humanitarian and socio-economic dynamics. The current response of United Nations Agencies, including UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP, WHO, FAO, WFP and IOM are outlined. It articulates two key sub-regional scenarios (the most likely and the worst case) and their humanitarian implications. The most likely scenario (which has now unfolded) constitutes the basis upon which sub-regional sectoral and thematic programmes are developed. The worst-case scenario builds on the most likely, signifying a simultaneous deterioration of the situation in the four countries in the sub-region. This section also alludes to the requisite competences and capacities to translate programmes and plans into concrete results.
Humanitarian Access: While recognising the high degree of insecurity in the sub-region, the CHAP is predicated on the existence and maintenance of a relatively safe and conducive environment for humanitarian operations. Its successful implementation is dependent on simultaneous and sustained action in the political, security, human rights and development spheres. The countries share a common problem of humanitarian access to beneficiaries, and a volatile environment, which makes for a highly mobile beneficiary population, hence the need for flexibility in the allocation of resources. Should access become difficult in one location, and easier in another, resources will be redirected accordingly. In the same vein, resources will follow populations if and when they move. In the meantime, UN Agencies will continue to devote time and energy to finding creative ways of gaining humanitarian access to civilians in need, as demonstrated by the success of UNICEF, WHO and their national and NGO counterparts in reaching rebel-held areas in Sierra Leone during the 2000 National Immunisation Days for the Eradication of Polio.
Humanitarian Goals and Principles: The main goal is to contribute to the reduction of the underlying chronic vulnerabilities, deprivation and hopelessness of populations affected by violent conflict in the sub-region. Contingency and actual provisions to meet additional needs are vital in the present context. Inter-agency consultations, information collection and analysis led to the identification of priority sectors and themes, the implementation of which should strengthen vulnerable host communities, refugees/returnees and IDPs. All interventions will be guided by the principle of addressing assessed and prioritised needs regardless of location, origin or affiliation. In this regard, UN Agencies will continue to advocate for all parties concerned to respect human rights and international humanitarian law.
The UN Agencies are requesting US$ 65,042,844 to undertake programme activities aimed inter alia:
• To mitigate the effects of the conflicts on the wellbeing of the people and their environment;
• To protect vulnerable groups particularly women and children and prevent the recruitment of child soldiers;
• To increase learning and vocational opportunities for children and unemployed youth.
Coordination and Management: Mechanisms for coordinating a coherent sub-regional humanitarian response, information management, protection, human rights monitoring, and capacity building for local humanitarian management, are in the process of being established. The various UN entities, with sub-regional offices in Abidjan, Accra or elsewhere, will manage the resources through appropriate channels.
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Linkages with other Assistance Programmes: This Appeal constitutes a key complement to the Sierra Leone Consolidated Inter-agency Appeal for 2001, which was launched on 28 to 29 November 2000. The sub-regional initiative also recognises that there are other planned interventions for 2001, under regular programme activities of the concerned UN entities for the same period. It assumes that other humanitarian actors, including NGOs, inter-governmental organisations, and bilateral or multilateral donors have planned and are programming relief activities. It also expects that complementary longer-term economic, political and reconciliation initiatives will be instituted and funded through other mechanisms to promote peace, regenerate devastated economies, reduce poverty and the intolerably high unemployment levels.
Scope of Activities: While recognising that many more people have been affected by the conflicts, this Appeal targets approximately three million people -- including IDPs, refugees/returnees and their host communities -- for priority attention; based on the current and expected competencies and capacities of the concerned UN country teams and their partners. Programme activities range from sub-regional activities that cut across borders in the fields of epidemiological surveillance and prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, to country-specific activities which target vulnerable populations in the key sectors of health and nutrition, education and youth, child protection, emergency infrastructure rehabilitation and economic recovery.
TABLE I TOTAL FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA BY AGENCY AND COUNTRY
COUNTRY APPEALING AGENCY SIERRA SUB- GUINEA LIBERIA TOTAL (US$) LEONE REGION
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION 5,598,000 1,277,000 780,000 7,655,000
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION 13,121,700 1,650,000 14,771,700
OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS 2,248,000 2,248,000
OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 260,000 260,000
UNITED NATIONS PROGRAMME FOR HIV/AIDS 450,000 450,000
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 3,467,800 820,000 4,287,800
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME/FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION 800,000 800,000
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION 1,590,000 565,000 2,155,000
UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND 885,188 840,000 1,725,188
UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND 5,450,000 2,327,500 2,359,650 2,304,750 12,441,900
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME 2,745,519 6,553,977 9,299,496
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION 1,983,260 1,286,600 5,678,900 8,948,760
TOTAL 35,641,467 6,276,100 4,269,650 18,855,627 65,042,844
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TABLE II: 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS BY SECTOR AND APPEALING AGENCY
AGENCY NEEDS SECTORAL SECTOR AGENCY (US$) NEEDS (US$)
Agriculture FAO 6,875,000 6,875,000
Child Protection UNICEF 1,306,000 1,306,000
Coordination and Support Services OCHA 2,248,000 8,744,237 FAO 300,000 IOM 3,714,450 UNDP 650,000 UNICEF 540,750 WHO 1,166,000 UNFPA 125,037
Economic Recovery UNDP 1,969,000 3,575,750 IOM 1,041,750 UNESCO 565,000
Education, Youth and Peace UNESCO 1,590,000 4,126,650 UNICEF 2,536,650
Environmental Protection UNDP/FAO 800,000 800,000
Food Assistance WFP 9,299,496 9,299,496
Health and Nutrition UNFPA 760,151 10,197,111 UNICEF 3,427,000 WHO 6,009,960
Human Rights and Rule of Law OHCHR 260,000 260,000
Multi-sector FAO 480,000 14,524,800 IOM 8,718,000 UNAIDS 450,000 UNDP 500,000 UNFPA 840,000 UNICEF 1,764,000 WHO 1,772,800
Security UNDP 281,300 281,300
Shelter and Non-food Assistance IOM 1,297,500 2,185,000 UNDP 887,500
Water and Sanitation UNICEF 2,867,500 2,867,500
TOTAL 65,042,844
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SUB-REGIONAL OVERVIEW
1. Background
Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire are currently immersed in political, economic and humanitarian crises that are inextricably linked. There is much in common in the sub-region in terms of causes, extenuating factors, ethnicity and consequences of instability. These shared experiences make the search for peace, stability and normalisation of relations among them a priority in 2001.
The first major signs of crisis in the sub-region emerged in 1989 when civil war broke out in Liberia. The seven-year war caused over 200,000 deaths and displaced up to 80% of the total population of 2.5 million people internally and into neighbouring Guinea, Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire. The conflict quickly spread to Sierra Leone by 1991 when rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) launched an incursion into that country, causing devastating destruction of communities and displacement of at least 70% of the country's 4.5 million people. As the wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone raged, the Republic of Guinea, bordering Sierra Leone to the north and northwest and Liberia to the east and southwest took on the burden of hosting over 500,000 refugees from both countries.
Meanwhile, the arrest in Guinea of a prominent Guinean politician, Alpha Conde in December 1998, signalled the first signs of political instability in that country. By September 2000, internal political disaffection and rebel incursions from Liberia and Sierra Leone, heightened tensions, and led to a campaign of terror and intimidation of both Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees there, and the internal displacement of over 150,000 Guinean citizens at the time of writing.
Simultaneously, Côte d'Ivoire, which shares common borders with Liberia and Guinea, drifted into a turbulent phase after many years of relatively good political and socio-economic stability. Trouble in Côte d'Ivoire, an economic and political centre of the sub-region, and accounting for a migrant population of 35% of the total country population, also has an impact on the disastrous consequences of these inter-connected conflicts.
Among the identifiable root causes of the sub-region's ailments are: very high unemployment, particularly of youths; proliferation of small arms; and the illicit trade in valuable mineral resources which sustains the perpetrators of war. These illegally exploited resources, particularly Sierra Leone's diamonds, have been shared between belligerents and their cohorts.
The United Nations System is in the process of developing a coherent strategy to address the threats to peace, security and stability in the sub-region. This sub-regional inter-agency Consolidated Appeal (CAP) shapes the humanitarian contribution to the overall strategy, which recognises that:
• Sustained and comprehensive political initiatives are required to address immediate humanitarian needs and diffuse further imminent crises; • Parties to the conflict and their adherents should be reminded of their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law and sanctions should be meted out for infringement; • Urgent actions are needed to improve the economic performance and prospects of the countries to reduce poverty, high unemployment and social exclusion; • Appropriate preparedness plan should be elaborated for humanitarian intervention in response to humanitarian needs beyond the scope of the Appeal.
2. Impact on the humanitarian situation
The conflicts in the sub-region are marked by widespread human rights abuses, which have left communities disintegrated, families dispossessed and individuals traumatised. As a result of the ongoing conflicts:
More than 3 million out of a population of approximately 15 million people in the Mano River Union countries of Liberia (2.7 million), Sierra Leone (5.1 million) and Guinea (7.1 million) are currently displaced and destitute;
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• Massive destruction of infrastructure and continued disruption of productive activities have left many communities impoverished. It is estimated that over one million people in Sierra Leone, 600,000 in Liberia and 300,000 in Guinea have been severely incapacitated by the war; • Women and children, who form the majority of those displaced, have suffered severe consequences on their health and nutrition, education and protection. Children have emerged as both victims and perpetrators of brutal acts.
PROFILE OF TARGETED BENEFICIARIES HOSTS/ GRAND COUNTRY IDPs REFUGEES RETURNEES Other TOTAL Guinea 150,000 420,000 NA 300,000 870,000 Sierra Leone 500,000 6,000 Liberians 100,000 1.000.000 1,606,000 Liberia 20,000 70,000 Sierra Leoneans 30,000 600,000 720,000 Cote d’Ivoire NA 60,000 Lib NA NA 63,700 2,000 SL 1,700 Urban Refugees TOTAL 670,000 559,700 130,000 1,900,000 3,259,700
The table above indicates that approximately 3 million war-affected populations will benefit from the combined efforts of United Nations humanitarian Agencies through this Appeal, covering relief, rehabilitation and protection interventions. With the exception of Sierra Leone where some of the IDPs and returnees reside in managed camps, most of the IDPs have settled in existing communities. A substantial number of refugees are also integrated into communities. While recognising the need to attend to the special circumstances of displaced populations – IDPs and refugees, a sizeable number of people (1.9 million) who are sharing their resources with the displaced, will benefit from a wide range of community-based relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities presented in the document.
3. Regional and International Response i. International Assistance International response to the problems in the sub-region has been significant in some countries but limited in others. The conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone initially attracted both the interest and sympathy of actors from within the region and the international community at large. In particular, UN engagement in both countries has been considerable, with a continuing peace-building presence in Liberia and the establishment of the largest UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone to facilitate the peace process there. UN Specialised Agencies, NGOs, civil society and international organisations, have been active in all four countries concerned, investing significant resources in assisting hundreds of thousands of IDPs, refugees, returnees and war-ravaged host communities, through different country assistance programmes. Most of the Agencies have established regional offices, mainly in Abidjan to support these country offices in their various efforts and to link related activities across borders.
Currently, while Sierra Leone continues to sustain the interest of donor countries, notably the US, the UK and the rest of Western Europe, post conflict Liberia suffers severely from lack of such support, due to dissatisfaction of the donors with the government of Liberia. As a result, despite the end of the war in 1996, the country has not made appreciable progress towards recovery, with serious implications for peace in the country and in the sub-region. In Cote d’Ivoire, aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been suspended since early 1999, while World Bank and French development aid have been frozen since last year, after the country was unable to meet its debt repayments. It is clear that simultaneous international support to the economic development of these countries and towards the alleviation of human suffering caused by the conflicts is crucial if a major sub-regional catastrophe is to be averted. ii. Regional Engagement The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) continues to play a pivotal role in re- establishing peace and stability in the countries concerned. The first ECOWAS peacekeeping initiative (ECOMOG) was launched in Liberia in 1990, and was later extended to Sierra Leone in 1997 to assist the country's peace efforts. Although ECOMOG troops were withdrawn from Sierra Leone by the
6 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA beginning of 2000, ECOWAS member states have contributed generously to the UN peacekeeping mission there. In light of the recent developments in the region, ECOWAS has also announced its commitment to important initiatives aimed at reducing tensions between the Mano River Union member states, including its decision to deploy over 1,600 military personnel to the common borders of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
It is hoped that the efforts of ECOWAS member states and those of the bilateral and multilateral organisations, such as the EU, the World Bank and IMF, USAID, DFID and others, will complement the humanitarian efforts in the sub-region, and also facilitate the implementation of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan. Contributions of the ICRC, other international organisations and NGOs also represent positive complements to initiates proposed under this Appeal framework.
4. Sub-regional Linkages
Politics and Ethnicity: The existence of identical ethnic groups across the four countries and beyond contributes to the prolongation of the conflicts and to complex population displacements. In Liberia, the Mandingo and Kran ethnic groups from Lofa county which form an important part of the current dissident group in the country, have strong ethnic affinity with identical groups in Guinea and Sierra Leone. There is also an ethnic affinity between the same groups in the southwest of Côte d'Ivoire and the eastern part of Liberia.
Conversely, hostility towards an ethnic group could make integration in the host country and return to the home country fraught with challenges. It is unlikely that Mandingo Liberians, who constitute the majority of refugees in Guinea, would voluntarily decide to return to Liberia as they continue to be victims of discrimination there. This constitutes a problem for Guinea since the country would probably continue to host them for the foreseeable future.
The nature of the existing ethnic affinities which transcend national boundaries is such that instability in the border areas between Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, involving Liberian Malinkes, Mandingos and Krans, spreads quickly into Guinea. Similarly, the RUF, holding a substantial part of Sierra Leone, and having ethnic and political affinities with Liberia, has used the territories they hold as springboards for attacks on Guinea.
Meanwhile, in Côte d'Ivoire, political tension is nurtured by ethnic and religious differences. The reported widening gap between the northerners, primarily Muslims, and southerners, primarily Christians, has sub-regional implications, as many of those perceived as "non-Ivorians" originate from Burkina Faso and Mali. For example, in the southwest of Côte d'Ivoire, native Krumen forcibly reclaimed their land, which was being farmed by Burkinabes. Violence erupted and 14,000 Burkinabes were forced to flee their villages. Some 12,000 were eventually repatriated to Burkina Faso. Although the current Appeal framework does not extend to Burkina Faso and Mali, UN Agencies are well aware of the linkages to these countries and are preparing contingency plans, taking into account the potential of humanitarian problems emerging in these countries, as a direct result of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire.
Economic: The continued poor economic performance in the sub-region exacerbates existing ethnic tensions and provides a fertile ground for the "scapegoating" of a particular ethnic group for the current economic woes affecting one country or the other. The multiplication of conflict centres across the borders also has severe implications for economic and commercial activities between the countries. Cross-border informal trading links, which form a significant part of the economies, have been drastically reduced due to insecure borders and instability in specific countries. These insecure conditions also adversely affect production levels, resulting in increasing reliance of most of the countries on food imports and food aid. Given ethnic affiliations and other inter-linkages, the effects of economic decline in one country ultimately affect conditions in other countries.
The role of arms and diamonds: Underlying the Sierra Leone conflict and its spread in the sub- region is the trade in its illegally mined diamonds, and the proliferation of small arms in the entire region. Instability in Sierra Leone and Guinea is fuelled by armed support being provided from outside the country to the RUF in Sierra Leone and the related insurgents who attack Guinea. Recent reports have confirmed that trafficking in diamonds and gun running are used to finance war efforts in West Africa. In the recent past, some important steps have been taken to curb the contribution of the
7 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA diamond trade to the instability in the region, including the certificate-of-origin regime for rough diamonds, established by the Government of Sierra Leone.
Human Rights and Protection: Unemployment, drug abuse, and proliferation of small arms characterise the instability in the sub-region. Human rights abuses are rampant in the warring countries. Youth involvement in the fighting is also a common feature. The absence of adequate access to formal and informal education leads to high levels of violence among youth and their recruitment into fighting forces. Social and economic deprivation in one country inevitably endangers stability in another.
Humanitarian: Porous and extensive borders, as well as ethnic affinities that transcend national borders, raise humanitarian concerns to a sub-regional level. The high insecurity creates a highly mobile war-affected population. This has implications for health, education and protection issues, which have the potential of spilling over borders, spreading and complicating the problem. A sub- regional approaching to interventions in these border-sensitive humanitarian problems is a must to be able to achieve a sustainable impact.
5. Sub-regional Challenges
Given the enormity and complexity of the crisis in the West Africa sub-region, it is clear that humanitarian response alone cannot bring a lasting solution to the problem. The following key initiatives represent positive complements to humanitarian action:
Respect for State Institutions and Citizens Rights: Serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law are clearly evident in the sub-region. Lack of the rule of law, justice and respect for human rights is a common challenge. The security of civilian populations and humanitarian workers throughout the sub-region is equally at risk. Children and women have been particularly victimised or exploited by the conflicts. Citizens of most of the countries have been robbed of their civil and political rights, as free and fair elections are rare. They are also faced with increasing levels of insecurity, leading to displacement and desolation. This is particularly highlighted in the ongoing violence at the common borders of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Governments in the sub-region need therefore to renew and initiate dialogue between political opponents in order to re-establish peace and stability for the population. Efforts should also be made to rehabilitate state institutions, in particular, Legislative, Executive and Judiciary to ensure respect for the political, economic and social rights of all citizens.
Economic Recovery and Engagement of International Partners: Severe economic recession, under-funding of vital social and economic sectors and diversion of precious resources to military activities have resulted in negative macro-economic and disappointing social indicators. Very high unemployment throughout the sub-region is a major cause of instability, particularly among the disgruntled, unemployed youth, who are prime targets for recruitment by rebel groups, criminal groups and even opposing states. The heavy burden of debt-repayment also adversely affects the sub-region and inhibits progress. International engagement to promote economic recovery is crucial. This requires appropriate support of the affected countries by the Bretton Woods Institutions and international aid organisations. Humanitarian action aims to complement such efforts through a range of carefully selected programmes in this Appeal, including peacebuilding, respect for human rights, sustaining lives and improving livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
Controlling Small Arms and Reprogramming Resources for Human Development: The proliferation of small arms throughout the sub-region is one of the main causes of the instability in the countries discussed. This is fuelled by the illicit trade in precious minerals (diamonds and gold), which diverts valuable resources that could otherwise be used for economic progress. Verifiable disarmament and enforceable measures to prevent the illegal trade in sub-regional diamonds should become an integral part of the political negotiations to achieve and maintain security in the sub-region.
Reducing the Material Burden on Host Communities: All countries in the sub-region have in the last decade hosted high numbers of refugees and IDPs. The host countries and impoverished communities have had to bear most of the burden. In some cases, access constraints have prevented provision of assistance to the affected people, while in other cases lack of funding of key sectors has
8 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA hampered efforts to respond adequately to needs. The strategy of humanitarian agencies is to extend assistance to communities hosting IDPs, refugees and returnees.
6. Rationale for a Sub-regional and Multi-disciplinary Approach
The challenges highlighted above demand an innovative response. These are encapsulated in the following concepts:
Simultaneity: Several UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, already implement activities in the concerned countries under the aegis of their sub-regional offices, in cooperation with national and international NGOs. These activities support various national relief, rehabilitation, reintegration and human development efforts. But despite these efforts, the underlying fragility of economic, social and political systems is continually manifest in increasingly violent and protracted conflicts. These destroy lives and livelihoods of national and neighbouring populations alike.
• Corrective measures should therefore be comprehensive and simultaneous in all countries. The humanitarian actions must be guided by political initiatives and accompanied, not followed, by visionary, robust and sustained macro-economic and human development measures.
Flexibility: The nature of the sub-region’s humanitarian crisis is such that yesterday’s Guinean hosts to refugees have become IDPs in other communities; Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees in Guinea have experienced two types of displacement in the past few months – displacement within Guinea, and a return to their countries of origin. At the same time, more communities are having to play host to large numbers of displaced with hardly any warning. Many of them are ill prepared for this added population burden.
• Given the fact that the situation remains highly volatile, it is important that regional managers are accorded maximum flexibility to re-direct resources from one country to the other or from one activity to the other, according to need. The principle of resources following beneficiaries wherever they are, and meeting whatever particular needs pertain to their situation should be adhered to.
Risk Reduction: The massive movements of IDPs and refugees/returnees to insecure and inaccessible areas -- usually under the control of belligerents who disrespect international human rights and humanitarian principles -- pose immense challenges for complex emergency relief operations, especially when the crises have assumed an uncontrollable momentum. The current lessons in Sierra Leone should be salutary. The use then of additional external resources for humanitarian relief operations to cope with such crises would constitute, at best, an inefficient and wasteful, band-aid, gesture. The need therefore is to:
• Strengthen the human, material, technical, managerial and other resources and capacities of communities, which are the actual or probable reception areas of refugees/returnees and IDPs, and ensure adequate capacity building of relevant institutions at both national and sub-regional levels. • Accord ownership of assets to the host partners and minimise the perceptions of favouritism or neglect on the latters' part, and avoid related problems, particularly in case of an inevitable evacuation of international personnel. • Help in rebuilding and strengthening communities as an incentive for fighters to surrender arms (S/2000/992). • Assist destitute persons, regardless of location, affiliation or origin, overriding all other considerations. But, such assistance will be contingent upon all parties to the conflict respecting scrupulously all the international humanitarian and human rights laws (or facing the punitive sanctions which could be imposed on them for infringement).
On-site Preparedness and Cost-effectiveness: The significant time lag between the issuance of a consolidated emergency appeal for assistance, following the outbreak of widespread violent conflict, and actual significant response is usually exacerbated by the perennial issues of lack of safe and unhindered access to destitute and needy populations. The present exercise seeks, therefore, to anticipate these events, alert the world to the sub-regional preparedness plan for early and timely humanitarian intervention. The aim is to:
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• Equip the sub-regional and regional UN Offices with the vital additional resources ahead of the crisis to minimise the risk of disruption. It should enable them to intensify and expand, for example, vital preventive health care programmes for women and children in advance of a crisis. • Purchase goods in a judicious manner in advance of an emergency. This will be a fraction of costs spent to provide goods and services which otherwise may not reach their intended beneficiaries on time, because of difficulties and delays with immigration and access to certain areas. In some sectors, especially water and sanitation, life-saving equipment in sub-regional contingency stocks is alarmingly low.
Thematic Focus: Several thematic programmes at the sub-regional level have been developed as the humanitarian catalyst to more robust vulnerability reduction actions. Any additional resources in response to the programmes outlined in the Appeal will be dedicated to strengthen vital sectors at the community level and, thereby, diminish the acute sense of material deprivation and discrimination felt by those who will either be prime candidates for abduction, conscription or recruitment as armed combatants.
Why Act Now? It is obvious that the whole sub-region, with the exception of Côte d’Ivoire is already in an emergency mode. The situation will degenerate further, and may spread to Côte d’Ivoire without immediate multidisciplinary international action. The fundamental malaise in the economic structure, performance and prospects in the countries under discussion translates into abandonment of investment in social sectors: the resultant deterioration in the quality of social relationships and coping mechanisms is stark. Different perceptions of the causes of the resulting deprivation have emerged all of which are endogenous; regionalism, ethnicity, religious affiliation or a mix of all the factors. Where such popular perceptions are exploited by a political culture, processes and institutions, which do not hold sustained discussions about root causes of crises, then widespread armed conflict later becomes inevitable at periodic intervals, notably at elections.
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TABLE III: 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA SUB-REGION SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR
Appealing Project Code Sector/ Requirements Agency (US$) Project Title
Coordination and Support Services OCHA WA-01-1/N10 Coordination of humanitarian assistance in the 2,248,000 West Africa Sub-region FAO WA-01-1/N11 Support to coordination of agricultural relief 300,000 operations in the West African Sub-region UNICEF WA-01-1/N12 Regional office support to sub-regional 540,750 coordination
WHO WA-01-1/N13 Strengthening sub-regional coordination 1,166,000 TOTAL 4,254,750
Food Assistance WFP WA-01-1/N28 Protracted relief and recovery operation for 6,553,977 refugees 6271.00 - Targeted food assistance for relief and recovery of refugees, IDPs and returning refugees in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone TOTAL 6,553,977
Health and Nutrition WHO WA-01-1/N38 Coordination of health interventions in conflict 2,740,100 areas; cross-border epidemiological surveillance strengthening and coordination; prevention and control of epidemics and strengthening of targeted public health interventions (nutrition and reproductive health) TOTAL 2,740,100
Multi-Sector UNICEF WA -01-1/N43A Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 1,764,000 WHO WA -01-1/N43B Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 1,772,800 FAO WA -01-1/N43C Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 480,000 UNFPA WA -01-1/N43D Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 840,000 UNAIDS WA -01-1/N43E Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 450,000 ICT/WCA TOTAL 5,306,800
GRAND TOTAL 18,855,627
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B. PROBLEM ANALYSIS THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA – Spiraling Violence Threatens
Political Context Given a persistent spate of rebel attacks, Guinea today faces the prospect of spiralling violence as bloody and devastating as those that afflicted its neighbours, Sierra Leone and Liberia. As a result of the violent incursions that have plagued the country since September 2000, more than 1,000 people have died. Some 150,000 have been internally displaced, while about 135,000 Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees have been trapped in difficult-to-access areas for months without regular humanitarian assistance. The attacks, reportedly by rebels from across the border with Liberia and Sierra Leone, occurred in the Guinean Forest region, including the Parrot’s Beak, a silver of land jutting in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Guinea forest region is the breadbasket of the country, and its soil contains precious metal such as iron ore and diamonds. The attacks have fuelled simmering resentments, particularly against the refugees who live primarily along the borders and who have been repeatedly blamed by Guinea for helping armed insurgents. According to the UNHCR, there are still an estimated number of 300,000 Sierra Leonean refugees and some 120,000 Liberian refugees in Guinea. At the start of the clashes, last September, a campaign of intimidation was unleashed against the refugees in Conakry, in urban centres and in refugee camps. Amidst heightened fear for insecurity, over 50,000 Sierra Leoneans returned to their country between September and mid February, despite the prevailing insecurity there. Many more are expected to return in the coming months. Humanitarian and Human Rights agencies have documented numerous cases of arrests, torture, threats, eviction and rapes of the refugees, in an unprecedented campaign against their continued stay in the country. Guinea, which is the eighth least developed country in the world, has been hosting these refugees since 1990. At the height of the influx, the number of refugees represented over seven percent of the Guinean population.
The fighting at the Guinean borders with Sierra Leone and Liberia has not only led to the continuous displacement of local and refugee populations, but also to an increased presence of armed elements – the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) of Sierra Leone, and the ULIMO-K, a former rebel group in Liberia. The current problem also led to the militarisation of refugee camps, which continues to be of serious concern to the Guinean authorities. President Lansana Conte has clearly blamed the governments and rebel groups in neighbouring countries, hostile to Guinea, for the attacks, and called on his people to defend its territorial integrity.
Given this situation, the government has postponed indefinitely the legislative elections scheduled for November 26. The opposition Rassemblement du Peuple de Guinée had earlier demanded the release of its leader, Alpha Conde – sentenced to five years on sedition charges in August – and the establishment of an independent electoral commission in return for agreeing to the delay. At the time of writing, it is unclear whether these requests have been met. What is certain is that no free or fair poll could be held in the current circumstances.
Socio-economic context Guinea has a life expectancy of 54 years and an illiteracy rate of 65%. Its Gross National Product (GNP) was estimated at US$ 482 per person in 2000, with approximately 40% of the population living in poverty. The population growth is estimated at 3.1% per year, which has increased the demand for food. For example, the demand for the basic commodity rice has increased from 50 kg per person per year in 1985 to 88 kg in 1999. Though richly endowed with fertile land and enjoying regular rainfall, Guinea’s agricultural sector is underdeveloped. Current statistics indicate that imports are estimated at about 240,000 MTs of rice and 50,000 MTs of wheat per year. During the second half of 2000, the prices of fuel and basic commodities rose drastically imposing additional hardship on citizens.
Humanitarian context and Response The nature and intensity of recent attacks are characterised by destruction of villages, displacement of both refugees and Guinean residents, and human rights abuses. Efforts by UN Agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross Movement to supply food and medicines to the refugee camps and to IDPs, have been severely hampered by the fighting and general tightening of security in high-risk border areas. UNHCR/WFP delivered the first food rations in 60 days in the Parrot’s Beak at the end of February. Phase four of the UN security plan has been in place since the September attacks in Forecariah, Gueckedou and Macenta, while phase three is in place for Kissidougou and Nzerekore. In
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September, a UNHCR staff member was killed by armed men, while another female staff was abducted and later released. UNHCR and the Government of Guinea have decided to move the refugee camps from the Parrot’s Beak and surrounding areas to safer zones in Faranah, Albadaria, and Dabola.
Support to Refugees, IDPs and host communities Since the beginning of the crisis, the focus of UNHCR’s action has been twofold: continue to protect refugees in Guinea and assist the return of the refugees who wish to do so. In Guinea, its priority is to gain access to as many refugees as possible, move them away from high-risk border areas such as the Parrot’s Beak, and concentrate on demilitarisation, freedom of movement and reduction of violence. The most critical problem facing refugees is the threat to their physical security. At the time of writing, UNHCR has completed the transfer of refugees from Nyaedou and Katkama camps, north of Gueckedou, to the newly – developed site in Albadaria. The new site is 160 kms north of Gueckedou. Since the beginning of the relocation exercise in early February, some 18,000 refugees have been relocated to the new site. UNHCR estimates 200 – 300 refugees arriving daily in Katkama from the Parrot’s Beak. They continue to organise relocation convoys for any of those new arrivals. UNHCR is also discussing plans with local authorities that will allow large numbers of refugees to walk northwards from vulnerable camps in the Parrot’s Beak area where an estimated 135,000 refugees remain. In parallel, UNHCR is facilitating the repatriation of refugees from Guinea to Sierra Leone, in collaboration with IOM and the Sierra Leonean Government.
Over 150,000 Guineans have been forced to flee their homes in Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore in the Forest area and in Forecariah. In some cases, the IDPs are mingled with the refugee population, while in other instances they have fled to their hometowns, as the Forest region attracted Guineans from all over the country. The majority of the Guineans are being hosted by relatives. UN agencies are providing assistance to this target population with WFP and ICRC providing food assistance. UNICEF is fully involved in providing relief assistance in Kissidougou, Forecariah and Kindia. To accelerate its emergency programmes to the war-affected areas, UNICEF established two sub-offices with international staff presence to cover Kissidougou and Kindia. Among others, they have supported rapid measles campaigns, which have seen the vaccination of up to 100,000 children in collaboration with the Government and MSF. These children are also receiving vitamin A. WHO, UNICEF and MSF have also supported the government in waging a war against the Yellow Fever outbreak, which has already affected about 20 districts in the country.
Since the beginning of the crisis, UNDP disbursed US$ 150,000 to deal with the new needs, focusing on coordination and quick impact labor-intensive projects, and WFP issued an Emergency Operation to deal with the food requirements of over 50,000 persons that has been revised upwards to 150,000. WFP has strengthened its office in Kissidougou and opened offices in Dabola, Kouroussa, Kankan and Kindia. The French government provided 40 MTs of relief supplies. Meanwhile, the United States, Germany, Canada, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia also provided assistance for the displaced. UNHCR, in providing assistance to refugees, would also deliver ad hoc emergency assistance to the IDPs in the main areas of intervention.
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TABLE IV: 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA GUINEA SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR
Appealing Project Code Sector/ Requirements Agency Project Title (US$)
Agriculture FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N01 Emergency supply of basic agricultural inputs to 1,253,000 refugees in Guinea FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N02 Emergency supply of basic agricultural inputs to 4,345,000 the IDPs and host population in refugee affected areas and support to the coordination of agricultural relief and rehabilitation of Guinea TOTAL 5,598,000
Child Protection UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N07 Emergency care and reintegration of children, 525,000 adolescents and women affected by war TOTAL 525,000
Coordination and Support Services UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N14 Displaced people census database 60,433 UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N15 Demographic and socio-economic database 64,604 UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N16 National capacity building for coordination and 650,000 monitoring of assistance to war-affected populations IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N17 Supplementary emergency transport assistance 1,711,000 IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N18 Return and reintegration assistance to IDPs 2,003,450 TOTAL 4,489,487
Economic Recovery UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N19A Quick impact community assistance/Community- 1,969,000 based assistance for population stabilisation
IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N19B Quick impact community assistance/Community- 1,041,750 based assistance for population stabilisation TOTAL 3,010,750
Education, Youth and Peace UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N21A Emergency education 1,300,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N21B Emergency education 1,100,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N22 Women and a culture of peace 190,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N23 Assistance to community media (written press 300,000 and television)
TOTAL 2,890,000
Environmental Protection UNDP/FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N26 Rehabilitation of the environment in refugee/IDP 800,000 hosting areas
TOTAL 800,000
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Food Assistance WFP WA/GUI-01-1/N27 Food assistance to Guinean populations 2,745,519 displaced by armed conflicts in the regions of Guékédpu, Forecariah, Kindia, Kankan and Faranah (EMOP 6312) TOTAL 2,745,519
Health and Nutrition UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N29 Health and nutrition assistance 1,760,000 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N30 Emergency and humanitarian health 431,420 coordination WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N31 Epidemic preparedness and response 1,166,000 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N32 Strengthening delivery of basic and essential 385,840 health care UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N33 Reproductive health care services 760,151 TOTAL 4,503,411
Multi-Sector IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N40 Cross-border return assistance to Sierra 7,068,000 Leonean refugees
TOTAL 7,068,000
Security UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N44 Reinforcing UN security system 281,300 TOTAL 281,300
Shelter and Non-Food Assistance IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N45 Supplementary emergency shelter assistance 1,297,500
UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N46 Emergency reconstruction of housing 567,500 TOTAL 1,865,000
Water and Sanitation UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N48 Emergency water and sanitation 1,865,000 TOTAL 1,865,000
GRAND TOTAL 35,641,467
Multi-Sector UNHCR GUINEA Sierra Leonean and Liberian Refugees: 31,557,093 Emergency assistance, internal relocation and repatriation Total 31,557,093 *
* This amount represents the approved budget for Guinea in the UNHCR Global Appeal. A review of the existing budget is due to take place by mid-year. The amount does not therefore represent additional needs. This will only be determined after the budget review. The amount is therefore excluded from the total budget of this sub-regional Consolidated Appeal.
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SIERRA LEONE1 – Prospects for peace severely compromised
Political Context The signing of the Lome Peace Agreement in July 1999 resulted in a peace process that created a generally permissive security environment in which it was possible to make some progress, albeit limited. For the year 2000, UN Agencies planned to shift from full-fledged relief programming to expansion of rehabilitation, reconstruction and reintegration activities. However, events turned out differently. Inherent flaws in the Peace Agreement as well as the lack of cooperation mainly on the part of the RUF led to a major setback. By May, the Lome Peace Agreement was in tatters and the newly established UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) came under attack by the RUF, eroding its credibility and bringing to a halt the expansion of humanitarian and development assistance to areas controlled by the RUF.
Sierra Leoneans, as well as ECOWAS and other stakeholders, declared that by creating the crisis, Foday Sankoh had disqualified himself from participating in any future peace accord. An interim leader, Colonel Issa Sesay, was appointed by the RUF. The Abuja ceasefire agreed on 10th November 2000, again, has signified some degree of progress and established a potential platform on which to recommence negotiations for durable peace. Capitalising on this, UNAMSIL has increasingly engaged in regular contacts with the RUF in recent months. Both NGOs and UN agencies have been able to undertake assessment missions in the Makeni and Kono regions and key access routes have been opened up. Generally, the security situation has stabilised throughout government-controlled areas and the whole of the Western Area, together with an additional 40 chiefdoms, out of a total of 149 chiefdoms countrywide in the Bo, Kemema, Pujehun and Port Loko Districts, which have been declared safe by the government.
Events in Guinea and the continued instability along the border areas, both around Kambia and along the Kissidougou / Guéckédou borders, however, provide an additional destablising influence on the situation in Sierra Leone. In the meantime, the RUF have called for increased humanitarian intervention in areas under their control. In particular, they have requested UNAMSIL deployment into the Kambia region where there have been incursions by the Guinean military into Sierra Leonean territory. There is evidence that the RUF is endeavouring to consolidate their position and establish civil structures in areas under their control.
Furthermore, while some divisions of the RUF are still committed to brokering peace and engaged in active negotiations, the leadership in the East shows few signs of being ready to demobilise. Indeed, in recent contacts the RUF have become increasingly bellicose in their statements. As the Government has deferred elections and extended their term in office, the RUF are no longer recognising Kabbah’s Government as the legitimate ruling body in Sierra Leone. They claim that the ceasefire is now sham and are calling for the immediate dissolution of the present Government to be replaced by a representative interim Government until democratic elections can be held. President Kabbah has made it quite clear that the RUF have forfeited their right to a part in the political process and cannot and do not have any recognised political standing. Certainly, the ceasefire has arrived at a stalemate. Current stability is tentative and it is anticipated that the only way forward is for some decisive action to be taken on the part of either the GoSL or the RUF.
UNAMSIL, ECOWAS and the GoSL are focusing their efforts on creating a political environment that is conducive to humanitarian operations, including efforts to restart the peace process. In this regard, the Security Council is actively seized of the challenge of reinforcing UNAMSIL's mandate and increasing its troop strength. A Coordination Mechanism for ECOWAS, the UN and the GoSL has started functioning and the three are developing modalities of securing a cessation of hostilities and reactivating the Lome Peace Agreement. ECOWAS and the GoSL are also making efforts, in consultation with UNAMSIL, to resolve the tensions at Sierra Leone's border with Guinea.
1 A Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal (CAP) has been prepared for Sierra Leone, requesting US$ 78 million to support relief and rehabilitation programmes for about two million war-affected Sierra Leoneans, including 110,000 refugees expected to return from Guinea during 2001. The Sierra Leone Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) is based on the scenario that the present situation in Sierra Leone and in the sub-region would continue for most of the year, and change for the better or the worse towards the latter part of the year. It therefore adopts a flexible approach, which will allow for strategies to be adjusted and programmes redirected as required. The Appeal was launched on November 29 in London. Additional requirements in a number of critical sectors resulting from the deterioration of the external environment have been incorporated into the sub-regional Appeal.
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The Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme is under review with a view to adapting it to the present political and security situation, and to enhance the next phase of the programme by improving provision of its logistic and administrative support, improving the flow of information among the stakeholders, defining responsibilities more clearly and reaching decisions on policy issues arising from previous DDR phases. The GoSL is also receiving assistance to rebuild its security forces.
Recognising the role of civil society participation in the peace building process, the UN system and other actors have also focused on building civil society capacity and supporting their initiatives towards shaping the future of the country.
Socio-economic Context Sustained targeting of rural towns and villages by rebel groups, a hallmark of the nine-year war, has decimated the infrastructure of entire communities. Socio-economic indicators continue to reflect negatively on the country's overall performance. Sierra Leone has remained permanently at the bottom of the Human Development Index for the past five years. Life expectancy continues to be on the decline, falling to 35 years in 2000 according to the latest UN Human Development Report. Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates are among the highest in the globe. The use of child soldiers has been one of the disturbing features of Sierra Leone's conflict. Some are as young as eight years old and recruitment strategies have included abduction, intimidation and violence. The mental health consequences and the psychosocial problems could threaten the prospects for long-term stability. At the same time, the crumbling economy struggles to keep pace with the growing demand for jobs.
Humanitarian Context and Response The humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone remains very poor. The spread of conflict within and outside Sierra Leone's borders has come at a time when the humanitarian community is struggling to assist a registered caseload of 400,000 IDPs. The large-scale destruction of homes and infrastructure and perpetual insecurity has forced people into overcrowded camps and public buildings. Population movements, overcrowding and poor sanitary living conditions have exacerbated the already high-level morbidity, mortality and infectious disease rates. Water and sanitation needs in the camps and many host communities are acute. The growing pressure placed on urban centres and existing IDP camps is now exacerbated by the influx of returning refugees from Guinea.
While return can perhaps be seen as an ultimately desirable objective, the context within which refugees are returning could not be worse. UNHCR in collaboration with partner agencies in Guinea and the IOM is transporting refugees back from Conakry on a daily basis. As of mid February over 50,000 Sierra Leoneans returned to Sierra Leone, with about 35,000 being of concern to UNHCR. According to UNHCR, 22,183 of these arrived by boat. If they cannot return to their areas of origin, the returnees are being settled in host communities in Loko Masssma for those from the North and in the Barri Chiefdom for those from the East and South. In addition, an estimated 15,000 refugees have returned on foot. Some 12,350 refugees have arrived in the Lungi peninsula through Kambia. Others, albeit in smaller numbers, are returning independently walking from the Guéckédou region through Kono and Kailahun: concentrations have been identified in Kabala (approximately 930); Daru (approximately 250) and southern Kono (approximately 3,500). It is expected that more returnees will attempt to cross over to government-controlled areas, especially around Kenema. A few hundred returnees (some 350) have already been verified at the UNHCR office in Kenema.
At the same time, the GoSL is seeking to resettle IDP populations to safe areas so that proper rehabilitation can begin in areas under government control. The aim is to return IDPs from safe areas to their home villages so that IDP camps in Freetown and the urban areas can either be phased down or congestion relieved. Assistance will be provided not in the form of relief aid but in the form of rehabilitation assistance so that communities can begin to rebuild their lives and recommence productive activities.
UN agencies, working closely with the National Commission for Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation (NCRRR), Government Line Ministries and non-governmental partners as well as UNAMSIL, remain committed to providing immediate relief to the suffering population, and also to creating the conditions for a return to normalcy. As a means of ensuring that the root causes of the conflict are addressed from the start, innovative steps have been taken to mainstream human rights activities in overall assistance delivery, with strong linkages to the political, military and humanitarian spheres. They are also assisting with specific development interventions in stable areas. Current initiatives focus in particular on relocating returning refugees from unsafe areas into host community
18 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA environments and on the national resettlement programme led by the GoSL to resettle IDPs from safe areas back to their home environments. Both of these initiatives focus on community and infrastructural rehabilitation, which endeavour to provide support to the whole community rather than target individuals, thus eliminating the risk for disparity among war-affected populations.
An intervention worthy of note in the case of Sierra Leone is the successful countrywide implementation of the National Immunisations Days (NIDs) campaign against Polio. UNICEF and WHO, working closely with Rotary International and government counterparts, successfully negotiated access to rebel-held areas, enabling children in these areas (at least six of the country’s 12 districts) to benefit from this all-important global effort to eradicate the disease.
These programmes have been carefully selected to address additional needs of returning refugees and to complement programmes presented in the Sierra Leone Appeal:
TABLE V: 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA SIERRA LEONE SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR
Appealing Project Code Sector/ Requirements Agency Project Title (US$)
Child Protection UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N08 Reunification and reintegration of separated 151,000 children TOTAL 151,000
Education and Youth and Peace UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N25 Emergency education 781,650 TOTAL 781,650
Health and Nutrition UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N34 Emergency health services 424,500 TOTAL 424,500
Human Rights and Rule of Law OHCHR WA/SIL-01-1/N39 Integrating human rights in the training of 260,000 regional peacekeepers under the auspices of the ECOWAS Military Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) TOTAL 260,000
Multi-Sector IOM WA/SIL-01-1/N41 Return assistance to IDPs in Sierra Leone 1,650,000 TOTAL 1,650,000
Water and Sanitation UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N49 Water and environmental sanitation 1,002,500 TOTAL 1,002,500
GRAND TOTAL 4,269,650
Multi-Sector UNHCR SIERRA LEONE Local settlement for Liberian refugees; 16,197,657 repatriation and reintegration of Sierra Leonean refugees Total 16,197,657 * * This amount represents the approved budget for Sierra Leone in the UNHCR Global Appeal. A review of the existing budget is due to take place by mid- year. The amount does not therefore represent additional needs. This will only be determined after the budget review. The amount is therefore excluded from the total budget of this sub-regional Consolidated Appeal.
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LIBERIA – Growing Emergency in Post Conflict Situation
The Political Context Although Liberia’s seven-year civil war officially ended in 1996 and presidential and congressional elections were held in 1997, the country remains vulnerable to violent conflict. Clashes between rival militia have continued. Since 1999, there have been attacks by groups opposed to President Charles Taylor’s government, including incursions in Eastern Nimba and Northern Lofa counties. The attacks have increased as relations between Liberia and its neighbours have deteriorated. There had been a brief flare-up in tensions with Côte d’Ivoire after the coup there in December 1999, although the situation between the two countries appears to be calm at present. Relations with Guinea, which have always been shaky, have worsened. While Taylor has accused Guinea of supporting dissidents fighting in Lofa County, Guinea in turn blames Liberia for cross-border raids since September. Insurgents, allegedly from Liberia and said to include members of Sierra Leone’s RUF, continue to be a menace to that country.
The country’s political and economic woes are further aggravated by the suspension of most international aid due to accusations leveled against Liberia by the UN Security Council for continuing to support the RUF and for facilitation of illegal diamond exports. The EU for instance, has suspended its important multi-year assistance programme for the country, thereby further clouding the prospects for normalisation of relations with Donors. The government has denied allegations that it is fuelling the war in Sierra Leone by trading diamonds for guns. But the UN Security Council wants proof, within 60 days, that the country is not involved, failing which it would implement the recently imposed sanctions. Meanwhile, an IMF staff mission to the country in September found that progress on economic reforms designed to achieve macroeconomic and fiscal stability had suffered since the start of 2000, and that cash management had slipped dramatically. Liberia’s external debt burden of over US$ 2.6 billion continues to constrain normalisation of relations with IFIs and thus external resource mobilisation. The current situation is also marked by continuing incidences of human rights abuses by undisciplined elements of Liberia’s security forces, increasing number of unresolved murder cases in some of the suburbs of Monrovia and other major urban centres.
Socio-Economic Context Liberia is among the least developed countries in the world and remains in a post conflict situation. According to the Ministry of Planning, Statistics Department, its population is estimated at 2.7 million with a growth rate of about 2.4%. In the face of a depressed economy, eroded governance capacity, onerous debt burden, high unemployment and inadequate opportunities for enhancing sustainable livelihoods, all dimensions of human development in general are currently low. The GDP remains below 50% of its pre-war level. The incidence of poverty remains at an estimated 80% rate. Access to basic social services also continues to be low, leading to social and political instability. If these dangerous trends are not reversed, the humanitarian consequences are certain to be grave. The adverse impact of the conflict is stark. The national electricity and communications systems, damaged during the war are non-functional, with a crippling effect on economic development. Only one out of five seaports is functional. Railroad systems, which served the iron ore mining and logging industries, were completely destroyed. Basic social services were also rendered non-operational. UNICEF estimates that 60% of the schools were disrupted and facilities ruined. Life expectancy at birth is 42.3 years, compared to 64.7 years for all developing countries; and immunisation coverage is less than 40%. HIV/AIDS prevalence among adults is estimated at 5%, with an upward trend. The proportion of the population with access to safe drinking water is estimated at 58.4%, and literacy rate is only at 34% compared to 58% for Sub-Saharan Africa. Liberia’s human development index is estimated at 0.276, ranking 174th out of 175 countries worldwide, marginally ahead of Sierra Leone.
Humanitarian Context and Response More than three years after the Liberia civil war ended, humanitarian and economic conditions closely resemble those experienced during the seven-year civil war. Thousands of refugees remain in their countries of asylum and are not eager to return to a country where they may not be welcome because of their ethnic identity; communities, which have been destroyed beyond recognition, continue to dwell in misery, with no basic social services to sustain lives and livelihoods; while others remain threatened by insecurity that is still pervasive in their home environment. The civil war claimed the lives of an estimated 200,000 people, displaced some 750,000 internally and caused additional 750,000 nationals (at its peak) to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. It also resulted in widespread destruction of physical and social infrastructure, and caused a considerable deterioration of the
20 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA country’s social problems. Although most of the displaced have now returned home, their resettlement needs remain largely un-addressed, and new displacements have occurred in the affected border counties of Lofa and Nimba. Due to persisting insecurity in these areas, humanitarian agencies have had difficultly assessing and appropriately responding to the needs. Meanwhile, the continuing hostilities in Guinea may lead to a return of thousands of refugees who will require assistance upon return. UN agencies have undergone extensive preparatory work to respond to the situation particularly in the war-affected counties, but have been constrained by lack of resources to expand their current efforts.
Against this challenging background, the UN system in Liberia, including the Office of the Representative of the Secretary General, continues to focus its assistance package on supporting the consolidation of the country’s fragile peace and strengthening its incipient democracy as well as reintegration, reconstruction, poverty reduction and humanitarian assistance. Specific achievements include effective coordination of, and adequate provision of residual humanitarian assistance spanning a range of sectors – from health and nutrition to emergency agriculture support – promotion of national reconciliation and the rule of law through support to the Liberia National Reconciliation and Reunification Commission and training of security forces in human rights, repatriation and resettlement of virtually all the IDPs, and rehabilitation of community infrastructure and health and educational facilities, particularly in the most affected areas. Child protection, wider immunisation coverage and enhanced HIV/AIDS awareness are also being supported. Through micro-finance schemes and capacity building of communities, a notable start has also been made in the area of poverty reduction.
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TABLE VI: 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA LIBERIA SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS - BY SECTOR
Appealing Project Code Sector/ Requirements Agency Project Title (US$)
Agriculture FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N03 Emergency provision of agricultural inputs to enhance 244,000 cassava production and processing at the village level FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N04 Emergency provision of essential fishing gears to build the 333,000 capacity of small-scale artisanal fishers, fish mongers and fish processors FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N05 Emergency supply of essential farm inputs to vulnerable 374,000 farmers FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N06 Provision of technical and logistical support to the 326,000 coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance in the agricultural sector TOTAL 1,277,000
Child Protection UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N09 Reunification and reintegration of war-affected children 630,000 and youth TOTAL 630,000
Economic Recovery UNESCO WA/LIB-01-1/N20 Self-employment through micro-enterprise development 565,000 TOTAL 565,000
Education and Youth and Peace UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N24 Support to emergency education 455,000 TOTAL 455,000
Health and Nutrition UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N35 Women and adolescent health (safe motherhood) 304,500 UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N36 Provision of primary health care 938,000 WHO WA/LIB-01-1/N37 Control of vaccine preventable and other communicable 1,286,600 diseases TOTAL 2,529,100
Multi-Sector UNDP WA/LIB-01-1/N42 Micro-projects support for resettlement and reintegration 500,000 TOTAL 500,000
Shelter and Non-Food Assistance UNDP WA/LIB-01-1/N47 Support to community-based shelter reconstruction for 320,000 war-affected IDPs, returnees and host communities TOTAL 320,000
GRAND TOTAL 6,276,100
Multi-Sector UNHCR LIBERIA Care and maintenance for Sierra Leonean refugees; 15,787,728 repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees; repatriation and reintegration of Liberian refugees Total 15,787,728 *
* This amount represents the approved budget for Liberia in the UNHCR Global Appeal. A review of the existing budget is due to take place by mid-year. The amount does not therefore represent additional needs. This will only be determined after the budget review. The amount is therefore excluded from the total budget of this sub-regional Consolidated Appeal.
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THE REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D’IVOIRE-- An uneasy calm prevails
The Political Context The situation in La Côte d’Ivoire differs from that of Liberia and Sierra Leone in some ways. Until recently, Côte d’Ivoire was a beacon of stability in the West Africa region, with a relatively good socio- economic situation and a sophisticated infrastructure (public administration, health services, educational institutions, roads, telephone/communication systems and the private sector). It is an economic and political centre for the sub-region, with more than one-third of the population of 15 million people made up of foreigners, mainly from Burkina Faso and Mali, its neighbours to the North.
The country has benefited from extensive and complex development aid, both financial and through direct development assistance from various multilateral and bilateral donors. However, in the recent past, political events, particularly since the death of its founding President, Felix Houphouet Boigny in 1993, put its relatively secure situation in danger. Côte d’Ivoire today is experiencing a bitter political struggle with ethnic and religious overtones containing the seeds of serious de-stabilisation. For the first time in its history, a military regime overthrew a civilian government in a coup d’etat that outsted President Konan Bedie on 24 December 1999. The Supreme Court’s invalidation of the candidature of Mr. Alassane Dramane Ouattara, leader of the Rassemblement des Republicains, for presidential and legislative elections in 2000, on the basis that he was not a legitimate Ivorian citizen, further inflamed social tensions, leading to ethno-religious violence. A mass grave was uncovered in Yopugon, near Abidjan, following the October presidential elections won by Laurent Gbagbo of the Front Populaire Ivorien (FPI).
Although the government has welcomed an investigation of alleged human rights violations, including mass killings, the political and social climate remains tense, particularly after a botched coup on 7 January 2000, which the authorities have alleged was aided by neighbouring states, in particular, Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. As a consequence, nationals of these states residing in Côte d’Ivoire, fearing hostilities, have been fleeing the country en masse, despite the government’s public plea for calm and a halt to the harassment of foreigners. Further, a widening gap between the northerners (Muslims) and southerners (Christians) has emerged, permeating all institutions including the army and the civil service. The ethnic and the nationality issues are complicated further by the fact that the same ethnic groups reside on both sides of the country’s borders.
Socio-economic Context Presiding over the third largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest producer of cocoa, with an average production of one million tons annually, and the third largest producer of coffee, with an average production of 200-300,000 MTs annually. The recent sharp drop in the prices of both commodities, combined with the increased cost of imported oil, has led to an overall deterioration of the Ivorian economy. IMF loans and EU funding have been suspended since 1999, and the government remains in dire need of about US$ 40 million a month to cover civil servants’ salaries. The prospect of being considered for the debt relief in the context of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC) was stalled in 2000. At the time of writing, it is not yet clear if the development aid schemes of various major donors that were put on hold due to the installation of a military regime will be resumed, and if so, under which conditions. The private sector has suffered severely from the looting, which took place during the coup d’etat (December 1999) and the mutiny (July 2000). Unemployment rate, though not as high as the countries in the Mano River Union, is at about 25%, and about 40% of the population are poor. The cost of staple foods is on the rise, particularly since the attempted coup of 7 January 2001.
The basic health and social indicators show a picture of the countries’ increasing vulnerability: The vulnerability is mostly evident in the rising figures for infant mortality and the under five mortality; a combination of high HIV/AIDS prevalence and deteriorating socio-economic conditions could be the root cause. Côte d’Ivoire has the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the West African sub-region, with prevalence among the general population of 10% and among pregnant women ranging from 8% - 14% in 2000. As an example of the impact on the workforce in Côte d’Ivoire, a study has shown that 5 teachers per week die due to AIDS-related diseases. The population census (1998) has shown that life expectancy has only increased one year over the last ten years.
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Humanitarian Context and Response In Côte d’Ivoire, there is no serious humanitarian problem to date, but the political situation is tense and the economic situation extremely fragile. A humanitarian emergency may arise either due to a deterioration of the internal situation, or due to the intensification of the fighting between Guinea and Liberia which may result in an influx of refugees to Côte d’Ivoire. In either case, the managing and coping mechanisms in Côte d’Ivoire are severely undermined by the prevailing tense political climate and economic downturn. Although there has been no cases of internal displacement in troubled areas such as the North, large numbers of migrant workers and their families are known to have returned to their countries in Burkina Faso and Mali. Their continuing exodus would adversely affect the political and economic situation in Côte d’Ivoire in particular and in the sub-region in general.
If, in addition to an already grim development picture the country is exposed to more political instability and ethnic violence, the humanitarian consequences might be severe and long lasting. Further deterioration of the already weak public services can be expected and the emergence of a group of youth that will be actively involved in violent events. This would cause a breakdown in civil society as examples have shown in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The demonstrators of the clashes around the presidential elections in October were mainly made up of young adults.
Humanitarian response has been mainly to address the needs of refugees. According to UNHCR, there are presently 110,000 Liberian refugees (of which 50,000 are unregistered) and 2,000 Sierra Leoneans on the Western border. Since late 1997 up to the end of 2000, over 70,000 refugees have been repatriated from Côte d’Ivoire under UNHCR’s auspices. Initially, UNHCR made plans for the voluntary repatriation in 2001 of the more recent Liberian arrivals – 20,000 people who fled to Côte d’Ivoire following the events of September 1998. Until recently however, very few of them have expressed any desire to return to Liberia. UNHCR stands ready to continue to facilitate voluntary repatriation mainly through the provision of an assistance package and medical screening. They are also collaborating with UNICEF to continue education support for the refugees there.
Priorities for Urgent Action
No country-specific projects are presented in this Appeal at this stage. However, UN agencies are in the process of developing a number of carefully selected programmes, which could prevent a deterioration of the situation in the country, particularly in communities vulnerable to destabilisation and those hosting refugees. Furthermore, activities for Cote d’Ivoire are included in the Health, Food Assistance and Multi-sector programmes. Agencies will continue to maintain a heightened state of preparedness, which would allow them to respond in a rapid and cost-effective manner in times of need. Also a top priority is the need to support peacebuilding initiatives which would allow reconciliation and the building of a culture of peace to avert degeneration into a war situation.
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C. THE COMMON HUMANITARIAN ACTION PLAN
1. Introduction
The Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) represents an effort by the UN agencies to forge a shared understanding of the humanitarian problems and their related factors at both country and sub- regional levels. It also articulates a common strategy with agreed priorities, and identifies the common features in the respective countries, which require urgent and simultaneous response. The CHAP could therefore be defined as the overall framework for each of the country-level humanitarian operations, as well as a framework for planning and implementation of cross-country and cross-border activities aimed at reducing the risk of vulnerability and expansion of the crisis. Planning takes into account the high degree of unpredictability that characterises the situation, particularly, population movements. Inter-agency scenario building and contingency planning are therefore integrated in the process, and improvement of the UN system preparedness has been prioritised, as well as a careful identification of preventative programmes which will help avert a deterioration of the situation. Of prime importance is the need to maintain a flexible approach at all levels. The CHAP also recognises the limits and constraints of the UN Appealing Agencies both in terms of resource availability and security access. It provides for capacity building of local institutions and networks, to ensure an appropriate exit strategy.
2. Scenarios
A. Operational scenario for the Sub-regional CAP – Most Likely Three key events are most probable:
1. Continued fighting along the Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone borders, which will continue to trigger massive population movements – within Guinea, into Sierra Leone and into border counties in Liberia.
2. Continuing political inertia in Sierra Leone, with the RUF making and breaking promises, which will continue to make difficult the resettlement and reintegration of displaced people. The issue of elections will constitute a divisive element.
3. Possible escalation of political and ethno-religious clashes in Côte d’Ivoire.
Summary The intensification of fighting along the common borders of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone can be expected. A de-motivated and insufficiently equipped Guinean Army may not be able to withstand the pressure. The attacks would continue to target urban centres, military garrisons and possibly refugee camps. The clear identification of rebel groups, their allegiance to existing groups and their constitution remain murky. Though it has emerged that ULIMO-K, the Kamajors, the RUF and Guinean dissidents are to a varying degree involved in the de-stablilisation of the forest region of Guinea, it is very difficult to clearly identify which group attacked what target on what date and for which purpose. Displacement of Guineans and refugees will most likely continue. The buffer forces, if deployed effectively, may help stabilise the situation temporarily. Meanwhile, pressure will continue to mount for secure passage in Sierra Leone to enable the safe return of the Sierra Leonean refugees directly to their home areas from Guinea. This will be heavily dependent on consistent RUF commitment and strong ECOMOG/Guinean Army presence and support from UNAMSIL, which may not come quickly and easily. Tension might flare up in Côte d’Ivoire, triggered by the trial of key opposition members and the results of investigations into human rights violations due to commence in March 2001. This may not be easily contained by the Ivorian Army.
Humanitarian Implications
Guinea Sustained instability in Guinea will have immediate consequences in many areas, including increased poverty, a serious decline in the production of food crops, loss of revenue for the State, increased depletion of State resources, increased banditry, insecurity and a breakdown of the rule of law. Heavy fighting would lead to casualties and more displacement further inland. There could also be an
25 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA outflow of Guinean refugees into Sierra Leone and Liberia. A massive relief operation would need to be established to ensure that people in need receive assistance. The establishment of Humanitarian Corridors in Guinea and Sierra Leone is currently being considered as an option to allow for the safe passage of refugees further inland Guinea and back into Sierra Leone. However, there remain many unresolved issues on how the option could be operationalised. For instance, Guinean military along with ECOMOG troops may need to resort to force in order to get the displaced persons to a safer destination and assure their security there. The massive movement of persons could facilitate the spread of communicable diseases, might have a negative impact on the environment and could create insecurity for the general population.
Sierra Leone
(See Sierra Leone Appeal)
New element: If access improves and the RUF live up to their commitment to welcome returnees in the areas they occupy, an increased number of Sierra Leonean refugees will likely be assisted to return home, overwhelming the absorptive capacity of the transit centres and host communities. Under this scenario, additional resources will be required in almost all the sectors, but particularly in health related relief and rehabilitation programming, to complement the current activities proposed under the Sierra Leone CAP.
Liberia Growing tension between Guinea and Liberia, combined with continuing clashes between the Liberian government and dissident groups will keep Lofa and Nimba counties unstable, leading to possible loss of life, internal displacement and destruction of property in the affected areas. Meanwhile, continuing insecurity in Guinea may lead to a return of Liberian refugees to Liberia. Due to instability in Lofa county, most of these may prefer to move away from the border areas into Monrovia and Bong county, where they would need relief and protection assistance for temporary reintegration, since they are mostly from the unstable areas.
Côte d’Ivoire Two events can be expected for Cote d’Ivoire – external and internal. Increased tension and violent conflict in Liberia and Guinea may trigger a new influx of Liberian and Guinean refugees. The new arrivals would exacerbate already xenophobic reactions. Internally, ethno-religious clashes may be renewed depending on the outcome of the ongoing trial of key opposition members and the proposed investigation into human rights violations following the elections. This internal push is likely to result in increased mass exodus of foreigners, particularly migrant workers from Burkina Faso and Mali, back to their countries of origin. There may also be internal displacement of civilians in the northern part of the country where incidents of violence, which resembles banditry, have persisted.
Summary of Impact on the Humanitarian situation • Increased population displacement. • Pressure on local food stocks resulting in food insecurity and increased vulnerability. • Economic pressure on host communities. • Pressure on local environment (deforestation, land degradation, pollution etc.). • Increased burden on local health and educational facilities. • Increased vulnerability to communicable diseases. • Spread of HIV/AIDS. • Abuse of human rights and protection rights. • Separation of parents and children.
The projects presented in this Appeal represent the UN agencies’ response to this current and anticipated situation during the course of the year.
WORST CASE SCENARIO
This builds on the most likely scenario, signaling a simultaneous escalation of conflict or heightening tensions in at least three of the countries.
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Summary Full-fledged war between Guinea and Liberia would lead to the massive return of more Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees, as well as their displacement to neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire and possibly Gambia. Ethnic and religious cleavages may split the population and military, exploding into countrywide violence. This would generate both internal displacement of Ivorians and foreigners living in the country, as well as some refugee situation in neighbouring countries. Fighting is likely to be renewed in Sierra Leone following failure of the parties to reach agreement on key issues, such as political participation and disarmament.
Liberia and Guinea Escalation of skirmishes on both sides of the Liberia/Guinea border and the penetration of Liberian security forces into Guinean territory would prompt a spiral of violence and could trigger a full-fledged war between both countries. Further incidents of bombing by helicopter gun ships resulting in numerous deaths could equally prompt a war. The war is likely to result in the massive displacement of Liberians within the country and return of Liberian refugees residing in Guinea. There would be massacres along ethnic lines in Liberia and elsewhere with substantial displacement southwards towards perceived safe havens. The war between both countries could harden Guinea’s position on the presence of refugees on their soil, leading to their expulsion, which could result in a return of most of remaining 300,000 Sierra Leonean refugees back to a country where 10 years of conflict makes their reception and reintegration difficult and most complicated.
3. Competencies and Capacities Analysis
Planning Assumptions for Most Likely Scenario A massive return of Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees to their respective countries of origin compounded by the movement of populations in Guinea would strain the UN’s capacity to respond effectively. Host populations, refugees, returnees and IDPs would all need humanitarian assistance as far as food, shelter, health, water and sanitation and other emergency supplies are concerned, in order to face the upheaval in their lives. a. Security Issues: UN agencies are increasingly faced with strict security measures, which prevent them from taking the lead in inter-agency, multi-sectoral assessments and response strategies. In many cases, close proximity of emergency areas to rebel territories also complicates humanitarian operations as interventions may attract rebel attacks on beneficiaries.
Action: Establishment of security assessment teams, comprising FSOs, designated agency security liaisons and other government or UN players, who will undertake comprehensive assessments of affected areas prior to inter-agency humanitarian assessments and establishment of operations. UN security mechanisms to be reinforced including the field security units. As a result, this appeal includes a security project, which will boost the UN capacity to improve the security situation for its staff and for beneficiaries. This includes better flow of information, more regular assessments, advocacy for security access and better communications equipment. b. Access Issues: Lack of safe road access and the absence of an enabling environment in, and close to conflict zones continue to affect the speed, effectiveness and level of response in all countries concerned. While agencies may gain initial access to certain areas, the persistence of insecurity, poor road conditions, and lack of adequate humanitarian air assets make it extremely difficult to respond rapidly, effectively and in a sustained manner.
Action: Global access initiatives should be developed and advocacy efforts intensified for parties to guarantee safe and unhindered access to all parts of the country. Humanitarian air assets should be reinforced, which will allow for transportation of substantial amounts of stocks and minimise reliance on military assets and use of armed escorts. At the same time, efforts should continue towards the improvement of secondary and tertiary road networks within and between the countries. c. Land Issues: It is increasingly difficult to get the government to allocate land for humanitarian programming in some countries, particularly Sierra Leone. This has created sub-human conditions in existing IDP camps, with agencies unable to maintain or expand facilities to accommodate additional groups. Most affected are the shelter, health and WATSAN sectors. Overcrowding has increased health risks and poor WATSAN facilities due largely to limited space for expansion, contributes to
27 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA diseases outbreaks. Some camps are accommodating more than three times their original capacities. Without timely allocation of land for construction of temporary and permanent shelters, planning and response will continue to be difficult and considerably delayed especially given the constant flow of returnees from Guinea.
Action: Pressure should be brought to bear on relevant government authorities to cooperate fully in making available government assets for critical relief and rehabilitation programmes. d. Inadequate Resources: Some primary priorities have gone un-funded for long periods of time, particularly in the key sectors of shelter, health and WATSAN at least in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Short-term interventions such as immunisation campaigns for children if supported, could not only minimise health risks among displaced and war-affected children, but could also provide a basis for negotiating access to off-limit locations as recently proved by Sierra Leone’s experience of reaching populations behind rebel lines with the National Immunisation Days (NIDs) campaigns to eradicate polio.
Action: Special attention should be paid to programmes which serve the dual purpose of supporting life-saving humanitarian programmes while laying the foundation for improved access to beneficiaries. e. Low Government/Community Capacity: UN agencies’ main partners -- Government Line Ministries and national and local NGOs, have suffered a decline in their capacity to absorb programmes and to respond to growing needs in certain sectors. Government health officials and teachers for instance, are either displaced or lack the requisite means to respond rapidly to needs, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone. In many cases, the government is unable to pay and maintain staff salaries.
Action: Greater emphasis on local capacity building is required. Planning should take into account the need to provide incentives to keep government staff at work. Training of such staff to develop appropriate skills should be intensified. Professional staff who are refugees in neighbouring countries could be encouraged and assisted to return to stable areas. f. Displacement Patterns Ethnic affinities and cultural tendencies across the sub-region lead to significant displacements in host communities. While this is considered a healthier approach for displaced people, it also makes targeting of beneficiaries difficult and blurs the line between displaced and resident local populations.
Action: Food security monitoring and vulnerability assessments should be undertaken at the community level to determine coping mechanisms of IDPs and host families in order to appropriately target beneficiaries based on their level of vulnerability. g. Regional Offices If political and economic instability persists in Cote d’Ivoire, the operations of the regional offices of WFP, UNHCR, and UNICEF currently based in Abidjan may be somewhat hampered.
Action: Accord flexibility for temporary relocation if needed.
Country-level Capacities and Competencies
Over the years in Liberia and Sierra Leone, UN agencies, which are normally in countries in a development capacity, have had to develop the expertise to manage emergencies. They work in partnership with a range of humanitarian, human rights and development local and international non- governmental and community-based organisations, and international organisations like the Red Cross Movements, religious organisations and government entities, which are equally experienced in emergency response. Both countries are however constrained by lack of trained personnel in specialised fields due to displacement. UN players and their partners are based in both the field and in the capitals. Their strategies include training nationals in both NGO and governmental organisations in the various emergency fields. As private sector is not fully developed, Agencies mainly rely on the public sector for basic services.
In Guinea, where the emergency is a fairly new phenomenon with the exception of assistance to refugee populations, most Agencies have had to make a radical shift from development activities to emergency relief interventions, with hardly any time to train staff in the management of emergencies.
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Government structures are also not prepared for emergency interventions, leading to considerable delays in decision-making. The overall assistance framework in the country will need to be reinforced to include structures that are designed for emergency response.
In Côte d’Ivoire, the UN system is present in a development, protection and advocacy capacity. Only marginal humanitarian intervention exists mainly for the refugee population. Most NGOs and UN Agencies are Abidjan-based, with the exception of UNHCR which maintains field offices where refugees are present. If an emergency situation ensues in that country, Agencies and their partners would require a rapid development of an emergency response capacity at all levels.
Agency Regional Offices -- Capacities
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) FAO Service for Special Relief Operations manages FAO emergency operations, which is based in Rome. Since 1999, an emergency agriculture coordination unit has been established in Sierra Leone and an emergency agriculture facilitation unit is currently being established in Guinea. In the framework of the UN CAP 2001 for West Africa, FAO is appealing for funds to establish a similar unit in Liberia. In order to increase efficiency of relief operations for the agriculture sector in West Africa, FAO plans to establish a Regional Facilitation Unit in Abidjan.
The objectives of the Coordination/Facilitation Units are to provide a good coverage of all agricultural needs; to enhance overall coherence of the interventions; to provide a thorough emergency needs assessment and a prompt dispatch of ad-hoc summarised information to the Donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other partners.
UNAIDS (UNAIDS ICT/WCA)-- Abidjan The Abidjan-based UNAIDS Inter-Country Team for West and Central Africa aims to build stronger and more effective national, local and community-based HIV/AIDS programmes by: providing an effective technical support to national efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and impact mitigation; building regional and sub-regional capacity through awareness-raising, policy and strategy formulation; and ensuring appropriate coordination between all participating agencies at the regional level. Its activities include the creation of technical resources and networks for exchange of information and experiences; documentation of best practices and formulation of joint training programmes; national and local planning/evaluation and resource mobilisation support; and design and implementation of joint HIV/AIDS policies and guidelines.
The main beneficiaries are vulnerable populations (youth, migrants and commercial sex workers); countries in emergency situations, post-conflict and natural disasters; persons living with HIV/AIDS. A focus is also maintained on the fight against discrimination and stigmatisation.
The Secretariat is currently staffed by 10 officers, covering a wide range of functions, from programme development to strategic planning and local response to emergency situations. The team is poised to assist with the coordination and facilitation of HIV/AIDS activities foreseen under the framework of this Appeal, in particular, it will help link the activities to other related initiatives in the sub-region.
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) -- Abidjan UNICEF maintains a Regional Office in Abidjan, which is responsible for 24 countries including the countries under discussion. While primary responsibility for country programmes (particularly planning and implementation) rest with the country offices, given the cross-country nature of the threats to survival and protection of children and therefore the need for multi-country responses in the West Africa sub-region – UNICEF has adopted a sub-regional approach to the crisis, and aims to strengthen the capacity of the Regional Office to meet the new challenges.
Regional preparedness and capacity to respond to sudden emergencies will be enhanced through continual updating of contingency plans, and ensuring stocks of relief supplies are available at a regional level. The regional office will also ensure the integration of vulnerability analysis and preparedness into the programme of each country in the sub- region. The office will maintain a focus on training, coordination, advocacy and the protection of the rights of the child in emergencies. Cross- border and politically sensitive issues will be prioritised in support of country offices. The office will also ensure coordination of UNICEF activities with other UN agencies, ICRC and NGO partners, and foster synergy between the countries in planning and implementation.
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The Regional Office is equipped with regional advisers in health, nutrition, education, child protection, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDs, information and communication, security and operations. Additionally, UNICEF has strengthened its emergency coordination unit in Abidjan to include two regional advisers for emergencies and a regional emergency child protection officer. Regional emergency advisers will be UNICEF focal points for the planning and implementation of programmes presented under the framework of the sub-regional CAP and other related regional activities.
Primary beneficiaries are IDPs and host communities, but where comparative advantages exist, UNICEF will support UNHCR-coordinated programmes for refugees. This is particularly important in the provision of immunisation, child protection, emergency education and water and sanitation.
United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) -- Abidjan Following a decision on a New Management Structure for Africa, UNHCR Regional Directorate for West and Central Africa (DRACO) was established in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire in early 1999 as one of three Regional Directorates in Africa. It is presently staffed with 46 persons (27 international and 19 local), covering 21 countries. Its main objectives are: to draw up a regional protection and operational strategy; to oversee programme management, administration, human resources and finance; and to provide guidance on policy priorities (e.g. children/gender and environmental issues) as well as technical support with logistics, information systems, telecommunications, health, security and registration for UNHCR country offices under its responsibility.
In the above context, the DRACO has had the overall responsibility for the regional co – ordination of UNHCR’s operations in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In order to respond to the operational dynamism in the sub-region in an effective and flexible manner, UNHCR’s strategies particularly for the ongoing Guinean and Sierra Leonean emergency consists of adopting a regional approach (as opposed to the country specific approach). As a mechanism to enhance such an approach, the DRACO established a sub-regional Repatriation and Reintegration Cell, which comprises staff from the four countries concerned as well as from the DRACO itself. The Cell through regular meetings ensure overall coordination of operations as well as adequate allocation and reallocation of resources (human, material and financial) within the sub-region. In pursuit of the regional approach, DRACO is also strengthening its working relationship with other UN agencies (e.g. UNICEF and WFP) and donor representatives at the regional level as well as with regional bodies such as the African Development Bank (ADB) and ECOWAS. The sub-regional CAP provides another opportunity to strengthen these relationships.
World Food Programme (WFP) -- Abidjan WFP’s Regional Office in Abidjan covers Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinée, Bénin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. In the region, WFP has both development and emergency activities. While programmes in Bénin, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana deal with development, Guinée, Sierra Leone and Liberia, benefit from a WFP-managed regional PRRO (protracted relief and recovery operation) that covers over one million beneficiaries. Only limited development activities are carried out under the PRRO.
Headed by a Regional Manager, the Office covers the following functions: Programme, (with a regional advisor, gender advisor and programme officer), Logistics, Finance, Human Resources / Administration and Telecommunications. Its main role is to coordinate and offer support to the different activities in the region. Each country has a Country Office, which is responsible for its own specific programme. Some Country Offices (more specifically those dealing with emergencies) have sub- offices, which enables WFP to get food to critical places. As the situation in Guinea continues to unfold, the regional office will continue to reinforce WFP’s presence in Guinea (including setting-up new sub-offices). Additional resources will be shifted to Guinea and WFP’s logistics capacities in the country will be expanded. In addition to the PRRO, there are two small development projects (rural development in Guinea and school-feeding in Liberia).
The regional office set-up (and functions) may change due to further decentralisation of WFP’s Africa Bureau from Headquarters to the field from mid-2001.
World Health Organization (WHO) – Abidjan The WHO Inter-Country Team for the West Africa Sub-region, based in Abidjan, provides support to country programmes for early detection and control of epidemic-prone diseases. It is composed of epidemiologists and laboratory specialists.
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Preparedness for Worst-case Scenario (some of these are also being applied to the most likely scenario).
Relief supplies • Ensure that stocks of relief supplies are available in the sub-region or in the region, should the need arise; • Identify suppliers for the local purchase of food commodities and other emergency supplies; • Determine the movement of ships carrying food and which could be diverted to West Africa in the shortest time possible; • Continued flexibility to move around assets, commodities and staff in the sub-region; • Expansion of emergency responses – controlling epidemics and diseases outbreaks, particularly supporting sub-regional approaches to diseases that spill over borders such as polio, yellow fever, measles, meningitis, HIV/AIDS, cholera and Malaria. • Expand measles campaigns and continue a sub-regional approach to national immunisation days against Polio.
Site preparation • In case of a massive and sudden return of Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees from Guinea, extensive preparation on-site would need to be made to address their needs. • Identify host communities in safe areas.
Advocacy • Intensify resource mobilisation efforts to support the implementation of the CAP for 2001; • Advocate for access to civilians trapped in conflict zones and for the provision of a better security environment for humanitarian operations; • Support wide dissemination of the Code of Conduct or the formulation of one as an advocacy initiative for the recognition of the humanitarian imperative for saving lives by all stakeholders • Advocacy for the protection of civilians in armed conflict needs to be strengthened • Formulate and disseminate messages of a culture of peace in the four countries through verbal means of communication; • Advocate for the dignity/respect for all war-affected people and communities; • Advocate for an end to the use of children for territorial defense.
Security • Reinforce UN security system with an additional Field Security Officers to cover provincial security needs and establish sub-regional linkages • Ensure the civilian nature of refugee and IDP camps • Regular meetings between FSO in the sub-region and UNCTs
Logistics • Survey of infrastructure, entry points and transport network, to determine available routes and need for rehabilitation
Local capacity • Intensified efforts to strengthen local capacity by including the component at each stage of the planning process
Functions of sub-regional presence • Follow-on to the update and monitoring of the Contingency plan • Implementation of the CAP • Ensure the implementation of preparedness measures
4. Strategic Objectives
• Advocate for increased human rights and child protection monitoring and capacity building Support for reconciliation efforts in order to promote political, ethnic and religious understanding and coexistence • Support actions such as the Polio campaigns that could stabilise the situation such as polio campaigns
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• Monitor early warning indicators that may signal an imminent crisis • Prioritise capacity building and the implementation of new initiatives in areas at risk • Institute at a regional level inter-agency consultation mechanisms in order to guide the emergency preparedness process, i.e. agree on a clear division of responsibilities particularly with regard to coordination • Make the affected communities the locus of assistance to vulnerable groups • Ensure common assessments and information analysis for advocacy and resource mobilisation • Establish an effective UN regional coordination and implementation mechanism • Ensure concrete preparedness measures and contingency planning in order to respond in a more timely and effective manner
5. Principles for Humanitarian Action
All interventions in the countries concerned will be guided by the following principles : • Life-sustaining humanitarian assistance shall be provided in accordance with the principles of humanity, universality and impartiality • Assistance will be provided within the context of efforts to achieve sustainable peace • Interventions will be designed to ensure increasing indigenous engagement at all levels • Operations will be designed to advance human rights, with attention to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination amongst Women; and the protection of IDPs, returnees and refugees • Access in all affected areas is a right under international law. All parties must respect the UN system and the aid community in their pursuit of activities towards the achievement of country and sub-regional humanitarian goals • Resource allocation should be based on assessed priority needs irrespective of location • Efforts should continue towards stopping the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the illicit trade in diamonds and other resources that fuel wars in the sub-region
6. Sub-Regional Humanitarian Goals
UN country teams and the regional offices in Abidjan and their various associates are committed to providing immediate relief to the afflicted populations in the countries concerned, and to heightened preparedness initiatives that will create the appropriate conditions for a return to normalcy. They will strive to achieve the following humanitarian goals:
• Address immediate life saving needs, whilst creating the conditions for longer-term development initiatives • Promote the restoration of sustainable peace, security, social stability and reconciliation in the sub-region • Support resettlement, repatriation and reintegration of refugees and IDPs in their countries • Ensure special protection of vulnerable groups, especially women and children • Promote productive sector activity with the eventual aim of eradicating the need for external humanitarian aid • Enhance good governance by establishing a culture of democracy and human rights which will guarantee the rule of law and a functioning administrative justice • Establish an integrated information management system to enhance common analysis, joint programming and monitoring
7. Linkages with other Assistance Programmes
Most developed countries are represented by their embassies, some with regional responsibilities. Several have strong and extensive bilateral development ties with some of the countries. In Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea for instance, countries like France, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and Japan are active in the various fields of social services: health, education, civil administration etc. Other important players in development aid are the USAID, DFID, IMF, World Bank and the European Union. In the past year, most aid has been limited or suspended due to the political changes in certain countries. In Liberia for instance, despite international pledges of US$ 420 million by the donor community in 1998
32 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA for the Government’s National Reconstruction Programme, only 48% was realised, the bulk of which was channeled through NGOs and the UN. In Sierra Leone, donors continue to focus on emergency aid provided through international NGOs and UN agencies, with some support in the Government for limited development activities.
Continued consultations and interaction with the major donors is vital for the realisation and maintenance of this sub-regional approach. In some countries, it might be necessary to discuss possibilities of adapting the long-term development aid to medium term-development assistance, which could be more flexible and adaptable according to the needs of vulnerable groups due to the ‘fluid’ political situation. In other countries, donors may be better placed to invest in rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes, which could potentially prevent a further deterioration of the situation.
8. Criteria for Prioritisation
This sub-regional appeal is proposed within the context of providing vital humanitarian assistance to protect the most vulnerable persons in the countries discussed. Although the multiple country and sub-regional scenarios discussed have the potential to affect many more people, the present Appeal targets approximately 3 million beneficiaries including IDPs, refugees, returnees and their host communities, based on the current and expected competencies and capacities of appealing agencies and of the sub-regional offices.
Given the threat to peace and stability in the sub-region, in which youths are used to create chaos and anarchy, special attention is given to the large number of adolescents out of school and unemployed youths, and to the particular strategies chosen to protect and engage them. Despite their increasing involvement in violent conflicts, the sub-region’s future generations could become bridges for peace and reconciliation if their energies are properly channeled towards these goals.
Prioritisation is based on critical needs and implications of failure to intervene promptly or lack of intervention. Under the management of the regional offices in Abidjan, funding allocations will prioritise thematic activities that will reduce vulnerability and the prospects of movements, and that are cost- effective, promising a stronger, positive impact on the sub-region as a whole.
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TABLE VII: 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS BY APPEALING AGENCY
Appealing Project Code Sector/ Requirements Agency Project Title (US$)
FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N01 Emergency supply of basic agricultural inputs to 1,253,000 refugees in Guinea FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N02 Emergency supply of basic agricultural inputs to 4,345,000 the IDPs and host population in refugee affected areas and support to the coordination of agricultural relief and rehabilitation of Guinea FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N03 Emergency provision of agricultural inputs to 244,000 enhance cassava production and processing at the village level FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N04 Emergency provision of essential fishing gears to 333,000 build the capacity of small-scale artisanal fishers, fish mongers and fish processors FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N05 Emergency supply of essential farm inputs to 374,000 vulnerable farmers
FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N06 Provision of technical and logistical support to the 326,000 coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance in the agricultural sector FAO WA-01-1/N11 Support to coordination of agricultural relief 300,000 operations in the West African Sub-region FAO WA -01-1/N43C Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 480,000 TOTAL FOR FAO 7,655,000
IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N17 Supplementary emergency transport assistance 1,711,000 IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N18 Return and reintegration assistance to IDPs 2,003,450 IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N19B Quick impact community assistance/Community- 1,041,750 based assistance for population stabilisation IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N40 Cross-border return assistance to Sierra 7,068,000 Leonenan refugees
IOM WA/SIL-01-1/N41 Return assistance to IDPs in Sierra Leone 1,650,000 IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N45 Supplementary emergency shelter assistance 1,297,500
TOTAL FOR IOM 14,771,700
OCHA WA-01-1/N10 Coordination of humanitarian assistance in the 2,248,000 West Africa Sub-region TOTAL FOR OCHA 2,248,000
OHCHR WA/SIL-01-1/N39 Integrating human rights in the training of regional 260,000 peacekeepers under the auspices of the ECOWAS Military Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) TOTAL FOR OHCHR 260,000
UNAIDS WA -01-1/N43E Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 450,000 ICT/WCA TOTAL FOR UNAIDS ICT/WCA 450,000
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UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N16 National capacity building for coordination and 650,000 monitoring of assistance to war-affected populations UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N19A Quick impact community assistance/Community- 1,969,000 based assistance for population stabilisation UNDP WA/LIB-01-1/N42 Micro-projects support for resettlement and 500,000 reintegration UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N44 Reinforcing UN security system 281,300 UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N46 Emergency reconstruction of housing 567,500 UNDP WA/LIB-01-1/N47 Support to community-based shelter 320,000 reconstruction for war-affected IDPs, returnees and host communities TOTAL FOR UNDP 4,287,800
UNDP/FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N26 Rehabilitation of the environment in refugee/IDP 800,000 hosting areas
TOTAL FOR UNDP/FAO 800,000
UNESCO WA/LIB-01-1/N20 Self-employment through micro-enterprise 565,000 development UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N21B Emergency education 1,100,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N22 Women and a culture of peace 190,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N23 Assistance to community media (written press and 300,000 television)
TOTAL FOR UNESCO 2,155,000
UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N14 Displaced people census database 60,433 UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N15 Demographic and socio-economic database 64,604 UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N33 Reproductive health care services 760,151 UNFPA WA -01-1/N43D Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 840,000 TOTAL FOR UNFPA 1,725,188
UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N07 Emergency care and reintegration of children, 525,000 adolescents and women affected by war UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N08 Reunification and reintegration of separated 151,000 children UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N09 Reunification and reintegration of war-affected 630,000 children and youth UNICEF WA-01-1/N12 Regional office support to sub-regional 540,750 coordination
UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N21A Emergency education 1,300,000 UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N24 Support to emergency education 455,000 UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N25 Emergency education 781,650 UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N29 Health and nutrition assistance 1,760,000 UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N34 Emergency health services 424,500 UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N35 Women and adolescent health (safe motherhood) 304,500 UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N36 Provision of primary health care 938,000 UNICEF WA -01-1/N43A Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 1,764,000 UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N48 Emergency water and sanitation 1,865,000 UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N49 Water and environmental sanitation 1,002,500 TOTAL FOR UNICEF 12,441,900
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WFP WA/GUI-01-1/N27 Food assistance to Guinean populations displaced 2,745,519 by armed conflicts in the regions of Guékédpu, Forecariah, Kindia, Kankan and Faranah (EMOP 6312) WFP WA-01-1/N28 Protracted relief and recovery operation for 6,553,977 refugees 6271.00 - Targeted food assistance for relief and recovery of refugees, IDPs and returning refugees in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone TOTAL FOR WFP 9,299,496
WHO WA-01-1/N13 Strengthening sub-regional coordination 1,166,000 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N30 Emergency and humanitarian health coordination 431,420 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N31 Epidemic preparedness and response 1,166,000 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N32 Strengthening delivery of basic and essential 385,840 health care WHO WA/LIB-01-1/N37 Control of vaccine preventable and other 1,286,600 communicable diseases WHO WA-01-1/N38 Coordination of health interventions in conflict 2,740,100 areas; cross-border epidemiological surveillance strengthening and coordination; prevention and control of epidemics and strengthening of targeted public health interventions (nutrition and reproductiive health) WHO WA -01-1/N43B Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 1,772,800 TOTAL FOR WHO 8,948,760
GRAND TOTAL 65,042,844
Multi-Sector UNHCR GUINEA Sierra Leonean and Liberian Refugees: Emergency 31,557,093 assistance, internal relocation and repatriation
UNHCR SIERRA LEONE Local settlement for Liberian refugees; repatriation and 16,197,657 reintegration of Sierra Leonean refugees UNHCR LIBERIA Care and maintenance for Sierra Leonean refugees; 15,787,728 repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees; repatriation and reintegration of Liberian refugees UNHCR COTE D'IVOIRE Local integration of Liberian and Sierra Leonean 10,404,346 refugees; integration of Liberian refugee children into the Ivorian education system; repatriation of newly arrived Liberian refugees and care and maintenance of urban refugees TOTAL 73,946,824 *
* This amount represents the approved budget for Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire in the UNHCR Global Appeal. A review of the existing budget is due to take place by mid-year. The amount does not therefore represent additional needs. This will only be determined after the budget review. The amount is therefore excluded from the total budget of this sub-regional Consolidated Appeal.
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TABLE VIII: 2001 CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEAL FOR WEST AFRICA SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS BY SECTOR
Appealing Project Code Sector/ Requirements Agency Project Title (US$)
Agriculture FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N01 Emergency supply of basic agricultural inputs to 1,253,000 refugees in Guinea FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N02 Emergency supply of basic agricultural inputs to 4,345,000 the IDPs and host population in refugee affected areas and support to the coordination of agricultural relief and rehabilitation of Guinea FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N03 Emergency provision of agricultural inputs to 244,000 enhance cassava production and processing at the village level FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N04 Emergency provision of essential fishing gears to 333,000 build the capacity of small-scale artisanal fishers, fish mongers and fish processors FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N05 Emergency supply of essential farm inputs to 374,000 vulnerable farmers
FAO WA/LIB-01-1/N06 Provision of technical and logistical support to the 326,000 coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance in the agricultural sector TOTAL 6,875,000
Child Protection UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N07 Emergency care and reintegration of children, 525,000 adolescents and women affected by war UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N08 Reunification and reintegration of separated 151,000 children UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N09 Reunification and reintegration of war-affected 630,000 children and youth TOTAL 1,306,000
Coordination and Support Services OCHA WA-01-1/N10 Coordination of humanitarian assistance in the 2,248,000 West Africa Sub-region FAO WA-01-1/N11 Support to coordination of agricultural relief 300,000 operations in the West African Sub-region UNICEF WA-01-1/N12 Regional office support to sub-regional 540,750 coordination
WHO WA-01-1/N13 Strengthening sub-regional coordination 1,166,000 UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N14 Displaced people census database 60,433 UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N15 Demographic and socio-economic database 64,604 UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N16 National capacity building for coordination and 650,000 monitoring of assistance to war-affected populations IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N17 Supplementary emergency transport assistance 1,711,000 IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N18 Return and reintegration assistance to IDPs 2,003,450 TOTAL 8,744,237
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Economic Recovery UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N19A Quick impact community assistance/Community-based 1,969,000 assistance for population stabilisation IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N19B Quick impact community assistance/Community-based 1,041,750 assistance for population stabilisation UNESCO WA/LIB-01-1/N20 Self-employment through micro-enterprise development 565,000 TOTAL 3,575,750
Education and Youth and Peace UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N21A Emergency education 1,300,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N21B Emergency education 1,100,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N22 Women and a culture of peace 190,000 UNESCO WA/GUI-01-1/N23 Assistance to community media (written press and 300,000 television)
UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N24 Support to emergency education 455,000 UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N25 Emergency education 781,650 TOTAL 4,126,650
Environmental Protection UNDP/FAO WA/GUI-01-1/N26 Rehabilitation of the environment in refugee/IDP 800,000 hosting areas
TOTAL 800,000
Food Assistance WFP WA/GUI-01-1/N27 Food assistance to Guinean populations displaced by 2,745,519 armed conflicts in the regions of Guékédpu, Forecariah, Kindia, Kankan and Faranah (EMOP 6312) WFP WA-01-1/N28 Protracted relief and recovery operation for refugees 6,553,977 6271.00 - Targeted food assistance for relief and recovery of refugees, IDPs and returning refugees in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone TOTAL 9,299,496
Health and Nutrition UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N29 Health and nutrition assistance 1,760,000 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N30 Emergency and humanitarian health coordination 431,420 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N31 Epidemic preparedness and response 1,166,000 WHO WA/GUI-01-1/N32 Strengthening delivery of basic and essential health 385,840 care UNFPA WA/GUI-01-1/N33 Reproductive health care services 760,151 UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N34 Emergency health services 424,500 UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N35 Women and adolescent health (safe motherhood) 304,500 UNICEF WA/LIB-01-1/N36 Provision of primary health care 938,000 WHO WA/LIB-01-1/N37 Control of vaccine preventable and other communicable 1,286,600 diseases WHO WA-01-1/N38 Coordination of health interventions in conflict areas; 2,740,100 cross-border epidemiological surveillance strengthening and coordination; prevention and control of epidemics and strengthening of targeted public health interventions (nutrition and reproductive health) TOTAL 10,197,111
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Human Rights and Rule of Law OHCHR WA/SIL-01-1/N39 Integrating human rights in the training of regional 260,000 peacekeepers under the auspices of the ECOWAS Military Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) TOTAL 260,000
Multi-Sector IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N40 Cross-border return assistance to Sierra Leonean 7,068,000 refugees
IOM WA/SIL-01-1/N41 Return assistance to IDPs in Sierra Leone 1,650,000 UNDP WA/LIB-01-1/N42 Micro-projects support for resettlement and 500,000 reintegration UNICEF WA -01-1/N43A Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 1,764,000 WHO WA -01-1/N43B Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 1,772,800 FAO WA -01-1/N43C Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 480,000 UNFPA WA -01-1/N43D Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 840,000 UNAIDS WA -01-1/N43E Reduction of vulnerability and risk of HIV/AIDS 450,000 ICT/WCA TOTAL 14,524,800
Security UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N44 Reinforcing UN security system 281,300 TOTAL 281,300
Shelter and Non-Food Assistance IOM WA/GUI-01-1/N45 Supplementary emergency shelter assistance 1,297,500
UNDP WA/GUI-01-1/N46 Emergency reconstruction of housing 567,500 UNDP WA/LIB-01-1/N47 Support to community-based shelter reconstruction for 320,000 war-affected IDPs, returnees and host communities TOTAL 2,185,000 Water and Sanitation UNICEF WA/GUI-01-1/N48 Emergency water and sanitation 1,865,000 UNICEF WA/SIL-01-1/N49 Water and environmental sanitation 1,002,500 TOTAL 2,867,500
GRAND TOTAL 65,042,844
Multi-Sector UNHCR GUINEA Sierra Leonean and Liberian Refugees: Emergency 31,557,093 assistance, internal relocation and repatriation
UNHCR SIERRA LEONE Local settlement for Liberian refugees; repatriation and 16,197,657 reintegration of Sierra Leonean refugees UNHCR LIBERIA Care and maintenance for Sierra Leonean refugees; 15,787,728 repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees; repatriation and reintegration of Liberian refugees UNHCR COTE D'IVOIRE Local integration of Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees; 10,404,346 integration of Liberian refugee children into the Ivorian education system; repatriation of newly arrived Liberian refugees and care and maintenance of urban refugees TOTAL 73,946,824 * * This amount represents the approved budget for Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire in the UNHCR Global Appeal. A review of the existing budget is due to take place by mid-year. The amount does not therefore represent additional needs. This will only be determined after the budget review. The amount is therefore excluded from the total budget of this sub-regional Consolidated Appeal.
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40 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA
D. SECTORS TO BE ADDRESSED A. AGRICULTURE
Situation Analysis The West Africa sub-region, notably Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia are experiencing various stages of crisis, one consequence of which is the increasing dependence on food aid. The recent massive population movements within and across the national boundaries, precipitated by armed insurgency, have severely disrupted the agricultural activities of the rural economy and increased the need for urgent external agricultural support. Meeting the basic needs of their rural populations is also severely hampered by the virtual absence of state jurisdiction in these areas. Efforts to provide life-saving food assistance should therefore be accompanied by well-planned agricultural interventions that would ensure protection of traditional means of survival, and prepare the basis for long-term solutions.
Sierra Leone: Only a reduced rice crop was harvested in 2000 because the civil unrest of May 2000 prevented the farmers' access to key agricultural land at the critical planting season. Agencies could only provide 46% of the targeted number of beneficiaries with agricultural inputs. Associated transport problems would render the food supply situation precarious in 2001. The existing agricultural project proposals in the Sierra Leone Appeal document, which are designed to respond to relief and rehabilitation needs of the vulnerable groups, remain valid for the year 2001. No further requests are therefore included in this sub-regional appeal.
Guinea: Seasonable dry conditions prevail. Reflecting a good harvest in 2000 and a record crop in 1999, the overall food situation is satisfactory and markets are generally well supplied, except in the south-east where armed activities have severely affected agriculture and marketing activities. Emergency agricultural inputs are urgently required for the most affected populations in this area, to enable a rehabilitation of agricultural production.
Liberia: A joint FAO-WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission to Liberia between November and December 2000 estimated the rice paddy production in the year 2000 to be 144,000 MTs. This compares unfavourably with a pre-war (1988) figure of 259,000 MTs. Small plots and poor yields account for the low production per household. The mission estimated the cereal import requirement in 2001 at 200,000 MTs. Commercial imports are estimated at 160,000 MTs, leaving a deficit of 40,000 MTs to be met either by external food aid or domestic production.
The lack of employment opportunities during and after the war has compelled many families to grow rice for the first time for survival. It has also led to the cultivation of land that had not previously been considered for rice production. Farmers' major constraints are shortage of rice seeds, poor marketing organisation, high levels of post-harvest losses and poor road conditions. Large-scale distribution of seeds and tools has ceased. Agricultural extension activities by NGOs are therefore focusing on rice seed multiplication, post-harvest loss reduction and coffee and cocoa rehabilitation.
Cote d’Ivoire: Following an above-average cereal harvest in the year 2000, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. However, recent civil disturbances may have affected marketing activities, exacerbating an already deteriorating economic situation. The external debt has reached about US$ 1.5 billion, while GDP declined by about 2% in 2000. The drop in the price of cocoa has been a contributory factor. Substantial quantities of rice, exceeding average annual imports, have been received in 2000. Approximately 110,000 Liberian refugees remain in the west, requiring sustained agricultural assistance.
Priorities: Efforts to provide life-saving food aid will be accompanied by simultaneous agricultural interventions designed to ensure protection of traditional means of survival and to serve as the basis for long-term recovery.
Competencies and Capacities: A sub-regional strategy for food security will be developed between all the actors; in particular, FAO and WFP to ensure those efforts are complementary, appropriately coordinated and harmonised between countries. FAO plans to establish a regional coordination framework in Abidjan dedicated to all emergency agricultural activities in the sub-region.
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Operational Objectives • Improved agricultural coordination mechanisms for optimal utilisation of resources in the sub- region; • Improved household food security through provision of basic food production inputs; • Increased supply of animal-based protein by supporting fishery activities; • Self-reliant resettlement of IDPs and reintegration of returnees into rural economies; • Short and long-term local employment opportunities created for a select group of vulnerable people; • Communities' enhanced capacity to protect their environment.
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GUINEA
REFUGEES
Appealing Agency FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION Project Title Emergency supply of basic agricultural inputs to refugees in Guinea Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N01 Sector Food and Food Security Themes Gender, Refugees, Security, Human Rights Objective To supply minimum essential agricultural inputs to vulnerable refugee families for the planting season starting in April 2001 Targeted Beneficiaries 60,000 vulnerable Refugees (10,000 families) in the Prefectures of Kissidougou, Nzerékoré, Kindia and other affected areas. Partners UNHCR, WFP and NGOs Project Duration April 2001 - May 2002 Funds Requested US$ 1,253,000
SUMMARY Refugees in Guinea are mainly concentrated in the Forestial region of the Prefectures of Gueckedou and Macenta. They are widely distributed over a large area, some living in over 60 camps while others reside in surrounding villages. Camps line the Sierra Leone/Guinea border and have been made inaccessible by rebel incursions.
UNHCR can no longer guarantee full support to the refugees due to the prevailing insecurity and difficulties of communication in the area. Additionally, the food security situation is deteriorating.
This project will, therefore, target 60,000 refugees (10,000 families) in the Prefectures of Kindia, Kissedougou and Nzerékoré and other affected areas, who are in dire need of agricultural assistance in order to improve their nutritional status and reduce their dependence on external aid. Each beneficiary family will receive 50g of vegetable seeds (depending on soil/climate characteristics of selected areas), 45 kg of staple crop seeds (25 kg of rice, 10 kg of groundnut and 10 kg of maize), two hoes, a machete, a watering can and 10 kg of fertiliser. FAO, together with NGOs and other partners, will also provide training in vegetable production.
Priorities will be determined by taking into consideration the availability of resources as well as the food security situation in each prefecture. The activities will be coordinated by the agencies active in the selected areas. The selection of project beneficiaries among refugees will be based on vulnerability criteria and will aim to prevent conflict between refugees and host communities. Supplies will be procured in the region using FAO’s procurement service facilities and will then be distributed in close collaboration with local and international NGOs, and community-based associations.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ International Consultant (2 months) 30,000 National Consultant (12 months) 24,000 Internal travel 6,000 Training (4 sessions, preparation of technical leaflets) 15,000 Agricultural Inputs: 250 MTs of rice seeds x US$ 1,500, 100 MTs of groundnut seeds x 935,000 US$ 1,800, 100 MTs of maize seeds x US$ 1,700, 500 kg of vegetable seeds x US$ 40, 10, 000 machetes at US$ 3 each, 20,000 hoes at US$ 3 each, 10,000 watering cans at US$ 5 each, 100 MTs of fertiliser at US$ 500 Equipment (one pick-up 4-WD double cabin with spare parts, 3 motorbikes, Office 55,000 equipment such as computer, printer etc) General and direct operating costs, including input transportation, technical backstopping 188,000 and contracts with NGOs TOTAL 1,253,000
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IDPs AND HOST COMMUNITIES
Appealing Agency FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION Project Title Emergency Supply of Basic Agricultural Inputs to the IDPs and Host Population in Refugee-Affected Areas and Support to the Coordination of Agricultural Relief and Rehabilitation in Guinea Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N02 Sector Food Themes Gender, Security, coordination Objective To supply minimum essential agricultural inputs to vulnerable IDPs and host families for the next planting season starting in April 2001 Targeted Beneficiaries 65,000 vulnerable farmers in refugee affected areas in the Prefectures of Kissidougou, Nzerékoré, Kindia, Dabola and Forecariah. Partners MoAE and NGOs Project Duration April 2001 - May 2002 Funds Requested US$ 4,345,000
SUMMARY Recent instability along the border of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia has forced an exodus of the indigenous population to seek refuge in the more secure areas in the interior of Guinea. It is estimated that about 35,000 families abandoned their homes following the recent rebel attacks in the border villages.
Most of these are rural residents who left their land and lost their agricultural inputs. The majority of these families are now trying to survive by practising small-scale gardening in the limited land available in suburban areas for self-consumption or sale on the market. Many of them lack essential agricultural inputs, tools and good quality seeds. The project therefore aims to assist the newly displaced families in the urban and suburban areas of Kindia, Macenta, Gueckedou, Albadaria, Dabola and Forecariah, where food security levels are notably low, by providing them with basic agricultural inputs.
Displaced refugees are being hosted by resident families whose capacity for agricultural production has already been weakened by a prolonged economic crisis and the severe shortage of agricultural inputs. In the host communities, the demand for basic produce has been on the increase while output is diminishing dramatically. It is expected that once the displaced population settles, the already limited seed reserves in the prefectures will be consumed. The situation is aggravated by the fact that rebels have disrupted planting materials left behind by the locally displaced people. The most critical issue in the refugee-affected areas is therefore the lack of agricultural inputs.
The project aims to provide assistance to 35,000 IDPs and 30,000 vulnerable host families in the areas affected by refugees through the distribution of essential agricultural inputs. The IDPs kit will be composed of 50 g of vegetable seeds, 10 kg of fertiliser, two hoes, a machete and a watering can. The host family kit will be composed of 45 kg of staple crop seeds (25 kg of rice, 10 kg of groundnut and 10 kg of maize seeds depending on the soil/climate characteristics of selected areas) and 50 g of vegetable seeds to promote gardening activities and improve nutrition. Practical field training will be a main component of the project. In addition, each family will receive a hoe, a watering can and 10kg of fertiliser.
Priorities will be determined by taking into consideration the availability of resources as well as the food security situation at the level of Prefectures. FAO will carry out the selection of the project beneficiaries in close cooperation with the ministerial departments concerned.
The project also intends to support the Government’s effort in managing agricultural relief projects; strengthening the country’s capacity in emergency needs assessments; and maintaining an information system of the agricultural sector on a continuous basis. An International Consultant and a full-time National counterpart with adequate logistical and administrative support will be required for the implementation of the project.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ International Consultant (8 months) 120,000 National Consultants (42 months) 84,000 Internal travel 24,000 Training (3 sessions, preparation of technical leaflets) 40,000 Agricultural Inputs: 750 MTs of rice seed x US$ 1,500,300 MTs of groundnut seed x US$ 3,360,000 1,800,300 MTs of maize seeds x US$ 1,700, 3,250 kg of vegetable seeds x US$ 40, 650 MTs of fertilisers, NPK (for gardening) at US$ 500.10 kg /family, 20 m x 20 m plot, 100,000 hoes at US$ 3 each, 35,000 machetes at US$ 3 each, 65,000 watering cans at US$ 5 each Equipment (one pick-up 4-WD double cabin) with spare parts, 6 motorbikes, Office 65,000 equipment (computer, printer, etc) General and direct operating costs, including input transportation, technical backstopping 652,000 and contracts with NGOs TOTAL 4,345,000
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LIBERIA
Appealing Agency FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION Project Title Emergency Provision of Agricultural Inputs to Enhance Cassava Production and Processing at the Village Level Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N03 Sector Food Themes Agriculture Objectives To provide inputs to strengthen the coping capacity of farm families as well as reinforce the capacity of receiving communities to reintegrate returning farm families. Provisional estimates indicate that up to 3,000 village and small town communities will need reconstruction assistance. The project is expected to contribute towards this endeavor for the most vulnerable communities Targeted Beneficiaries Cassava producers, marketers, consumers, CBOs, etc. Partners MoA, NGOs/CBOs Project Duration January - December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 244,000
SUMMARY Generally, the countries in the sub-region are endowed with minerals, water resources and abundant land. The countries are essentially agrarian with potential capacities to ensure food security for their respective populations. Current production estimates are unavailable. However, between 70-75% of the population in the sub-region are rural-based and derive their livelihood from agriculture and its related activities. With the exception of Cote d’Ivoire, the agricultural sector is practically undeveloped. The use of rudimentary tools and inputs, low-yielding varieties and the absence of improved processing and preservation units characterise the sector.
Cassava is widely grown and consumed in the sub-region. Per capita consumption is estimated to be over 40 kg per person per year. It is consumed in various forms ( gari, boiled roots, fufu etc.) with fish and meat as well as variety of vegetables. Research report indicates that the leaves contain about 17% protein and constitute a valuable dietary component in the sub-region.
The creation of a sustainable rural economy will provide a self-reliant base for development in the region. Among other things, small-scale non-farming activities such as food processing and preservation hold a great potential for generating productive employment and income in rural areas. This would invariably stimulate increases in agricultural production and ensure national food security.
The rationale for this project is to simultaneously meet the basic needs of Liberia’s ex-combatants, refugees and IDPs, as well as the host communities and to provide opportunities to reduce their dependence on humanitarian assistance.
Main Activities and Inputs • Identify and recruit project staff including international consultant. • Conduct needs assessment, select and verify target beneficiaries, including host communities and areas of intervention. • Identify and procure project inputs including improved cassava stems, tools and grating/processing units. • Prepare distribution plan and distribute project inputs. • Provide basic services including extension and on-farm training of farmers and operators of cassava grating machines. • Provide technical and logistical support for implementation and monitoring of project activities. • Conduct impact evaluation and prepare draft final report.
Key Outputs • Basic services including access to training, adaptable, high-yielding, disease resistant/tolerant cassava planting materials, tools, cassava grating/processing facilities, etc. • Enhanced resettlement and reintegration of conflict-affected farmers including ex-combatants, refugees, into rural communities.
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• Improved household food security and nutritional level of beneficiaries including host communities.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ International consultant 15,000 National consultants 12,000 Processing (grating) machines with accessories 70,000 Shelters, drying site and complementary materials 10,000 Planting materials, small hand tools for production (hoes, shovels, etc.), and other 60,000 necessary agricultural inputs Training 10,000 Motor-bikes, office equipement (computer, printer, etc.) 30,000 General and direct operating costs, including input transportation, technical backstopping 37,000 and contracts with NGOs TOTAL 244,000
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Appealing Agency FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION Project Title Emergency Provision of Essential Fishing Gears to Build the Capacity of Small-Scale Artisanal Fishers, Fish Mongers and Fish Processors Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N04 Sector Food Themes Agriculture Objectives To strengthen the capacities of selected small-scale artisanal fishers, fish mongers and fish processors to enhance their food security; To introduce responsible fish resources management methods and fish farming practices through training. Targeted Beneficiaries Fishers, fish mongers and processors, consumers, marketers. Partners Ministry of Agriculture Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 333,000
SUMMARY The four countries of the sub-region (Liberia, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone) have varying coastlines and continental shelves, which permit substantial artisanal fishing activities. The coastal waters are rich in exploitable fish species. The artisanal fishery sub-sector contributes about 50% of the annual fish production in some of the countries of the sub-region. Paramount among the constraints faced by Artisanal fishers, fish-mongers and processors are the lack of adequate training, fishing gear and processing facilities. FAO has been providing some limited support in this regard. The artisanal-fishing sub-sector is highly profitable and employs a sizeable number of the coastal population. It is also a major source of animal protein for much of the population.
This project will be implemented through a community-based strategy. The activities will serve as linkages along the continuum from humanitarian assistance to integration of refugees, IDPs and ex- combatants and ultimately to rehabilitation and economic recovery. These activities are essential to avert potential social unrest, which could contribute to the destabilisation of the already fragile situation in the country.
The project will provide training and establish improved drying and smoking methods as well as provide essential fishing gears to about 130 artisanal fishers, 60 fishmongers and processors. Selected artisanal fishing groups, including women fish-mongers and processors will be organised to establish communal ownership of, and collective responsibility for the inputs provided by the project.
A collective management system, through which a change mechanism will be established for the use of inputs and a saving arrangement will be put in place. These arrangements are expected to ensure sustainability of respective fishing groups after the project phases out.
Main Activities and Inputs • Identify and recruit project staff including international consultants. • Conduct assessment of the fishery situation and plan and prepare specification of needed fishing inputs (fishing gears, equipment). • Identify beneficiaries and procure project inputs including fishing gears, nets, hooks, etc. • Provide basic services including training of ex-combatants, fish mongers and fish processors in improved fishing methods and technology, maintenance and repair of gear as well as management methods. • Prepare distribution plan and distribute project inputs. • Provide technical and logistical support for implementation and monitoring of project activities. • Conduct impact evaluation and prepare draft final report.
Key Outputs • Workplan prepared and beneficiary villages and fishers, including ex-combatants identified. • Technical specification of gears, equipment, etc., prepared and procurement orders placed. • Basic services including access to fishing gears and processing facilities provided. • Conflict-affected farmers including ex-combatants, refugees and IDPs resettled and reintegrated into fishing communities. • Improved household food security and nutritional level of beneficiaries and their dependants.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Master fishers to provide training 5,000 Training 15,000 National consultant 18,000 Equipment (4x4 double cabin pickup with spare sparts, motorbikes, office equipment, etc.) 75,000 Fishing gears (outboard engines, improved smoking kilns, etc.) 150,000 General and direct operating costs, including input transportation, technical backstopping 70,000 and contracts with NGOs TOTAL 333,000
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Appealing Agency FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION Project Title Emergency Supply of Essential Farm Inputs to Vulnerable Farmers Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N05 Sector Food Objective To assist vulnerable IDPs and refugees particularly those affected by the Lofa crisis and Guinea (forced repatriation). Targeted Beneficiaries Vulnerable farmers, MoA, NGOs/CBOs, traders, consumers, refugees, etc. Partners MoA, NGOs/CBOs Project Duration May 2001 - 30 April 2002 Funds Requested US$ 374,000
SUMMARY The recent and continuous armed conflicts within the sub-region have seriously affected the food security situation not only in Liberia and Sierra Leone where the conflicts have been prolonged, but also in Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. These two countries are hosting refugees from the conflict affected- areas. The present crisis in Guinea and the threatening instability in Cote d’Ivoire appear to be exacerbating the situation. A projected affected population of three million (refugees, IDPs, Returnees and host communities) within the four countries will require emergency assistance to restore their productive capacities, especially within the agricultural sector.
A critical element of the project is the provision of support for the creation of an enabling environment that will promote the return of the various conflict-affected groups, including IDPs, ex-combatants, refugees and their host communities, and the resumption of sustainable economic recovery. The project is therefore designed to support the social integration of these various groups and to provide assistance to meet their livelihood needs as well as to start up rehabilitation activities for basic social services.
Main Activities and Inputs • Identify and recruit project staff including international consultant • Compile a preliminary national list of recommended crop varieties, in collaboration with the MoA • Assess the actual and potential effects of the conflict on the food and agriculture sector • Conduct needs assessment, select and verify target beneficiaries and areas of intervention • Provide basic services including on-farm training of beneficiaries • Identify and procure project inputs including assorted seeds, tools, etc. • Prepare distribution plan and distribute project inputs • Provide technical and logistical support for implementation and monitoring of project activities • Conduct impact evaluation and prepare draft final report.
Key Outputs • Workplan prepared and beneficiaries identified. • Procurement orders placed. • Basic services including access to farm inputs and training provided. • Enhanced resettlement and reintegration of conflict-affected farmers including ex-combatants, refugees, etc., into rural communities. • Improved household food security and nutritional level of beneficiaries and their dependants.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ International Consultant 30,000 National Consultant 18,000 Internal Travel 6,000 Supplies (seeds, tools, fertilisers, etc.) 200,000 Equipment 55,000 Training 10,000 General and direct operating costs, including input transportation, technical backstopping 55,000 and contracts with NGOs TOTAL 374,000
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Appealing Agency FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION Project Title Provision of Technical and Logistical Support to the Coordination of Emergency Humanitarian Assistance in the Agricultural Sector. Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N06 Sector Food Theme Agriculture Objectives To design a strategy to enhance humanitarian interventions in the agriculture sector, including proper monitoring and coordination of activities; To provide technical advice to other stakeholders in the sector. Targeted Beneficiaries MoA, agencies in the agriculture sector, policy planners, etc. Partners MoA, NGOs/CBOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 326,000
SUMMARY During crisis situation, the bulk of goods and services are provided directly to the conflict-affected populations by the humanitarian community. In most instances, the lead government agency responsible lacks adequate capacity in terms of financial and human resources to undertake the complex tasks of coordination. As a result, each institution involved with the intervention serves in a dual-capacity (service provider and monitor). There is usually no check and balance system. Information generated is often fragmented and uncoordinated. This makes planning of future interventions and decision-making difficult, and sometimes impossible.
As some of the conflict-affected countries of the sub-region move from emergency to reconstruction, it is anticipated that several stakeholders (national and international) will be involved in the implementation of reconstruction activities. In addition to the substantial amount of resources required, effective coordination of the reconstruction activities within the sector must be critically considered.
It is against this background that this project is designed to put in place a mechanism that will provide for better coordination of humanitarian interventions in the agricultural sector and improve targeting of relief operations at the level of the most vulnerable farmers. The project will also design a mechanism to monitor and evaluate the impact on beneficiaries of the interventions in the sector. It will emphasise meaningful partnership between expatriates and the recipient country.
Main Activities and Inputs • Identify and recruit project staff including international consultants. • Identify and procure project inputs. • Review the institutions involved in humanitarian intervention and plan arrangements, programmes, activities and policies for emergency activities in the country. • Establish appropriate coordination structures at the MoA, and provide training for parties involved in emergency/humanitarian assistance to the agricultural sector. • Provide technical and logistical support for implementation and monitoring of project activities. • Seek and provide cooperation with other UN agencies and NGOs involved in humanitarian activities in Liberia. • Conduct impact evaluation and prepare draft final report.
Key Outputs • Workplan prepared and beneficiaries, including ex-combatants, identified. • Procurement orders placed. • Special unit for emergency intervention coordination established within the Ministry of Agriculture. • Reliable emergency agriculture needs assessment produced. • Basic services including access to technical and logistic support, training, proper monitoring and coordination of activities provided. • Cooperation with other UN agencies and NGOs involved in humanitarian activities in Liberia fostered established.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ International consultant 45,000 National consultants 36,000 Equipment (one 4x4 pick-up; 4 motorbikes; field and office equipment, etc.) 100,000 Supplies and materials 50,000 Training 25,000 General and direct operating costs, including input transportation, technical 70,000 backstopping and contracts with NGOs TOTAL 326,000
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B. CHILD PROTECTION
Situation Analysis Children in the sub-region are exposed to enormous pressures through the rapid spread of unstable conditions. Mass, uncontrolled population movements, provoked by violent conflict, conspire to put the rights of children under threat. Thousands of children have become homeless, while others have been forcibly separated from their families. Abductions and conscription into various fighting forces are increasing along with attacks on the communities.
The situation of children in Sierra Leone continues to be fraught with challenges. The activities planned within the Consolidated Appeal for Sierra Leone should address the key problems and ensure the children’s protection. However, with the expected rapid return of so many children from refugee camps in Guinea, additional challenges have emerged for the Child Protection Network in Sierra Leone. These would include a strengthened cross-border family tracing system, the rapid identification of affected families and their smooth reunion with their lost children.
Similar activities are required for Liberian children who will return from Guinea and for those who are currently displaced by unstable conditions along its northern border. Existing child protection structures are weak and new programmes will need to be developed to buttress them. Guinea’s children also face new threats to the protection of their rights, especially in its common border areas with Sierra Leone and Liberia. In Côte d'Ivoire, while the situation has not deteriorated to the same extent, pre-emptive actions are required to ensure that the children do not succumb to the trauma experienced by their peers in neighbouring countries.
Priorities The first priority is to strengthen the coordination of the interventions in favour of the separated children in all affected countries. A vibrant network for cross-border sharing of information and the establishment of common instruments of assistance will ensure an effective and interactive family tracing and reunification programme, and prevent recruitment of children into armed forces.
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Competencies and Capacities Child protection committees exist in the countries under consideration. UNICEF collaborates with government ministries, NGO partners and other UN agencies such as UNHCR, and plays a key role in coordinating efforts countrywide to ensure the protection of children’s rights. Some of these partners possess a wealth of experience in programme management and should be able to train counterparts. UNICEF has child protection units functioning in each of its country offices and its activities will be coordinated by the Regional Office, to ensure that all best practices and lessons learned are shared. The ICRC and NGO partners (SCF, IRC and Caritas), with relevant extensive local experience, will ensure that an effective programme of assistance will be implemented.
Strategy An integrated cross-border programme for effective family tracing and reunification is vital. The already established national networks will continue to ensure the protection of the children's rights. Better cross-border mechanisms will be strengthened through workshops and sub-regional meetings. In- country reinforced social mobilisation and advocacy activities will assist in the reduction of recruitment of children into fighting forces, and preventing sexual violence, while a strong staff training programme will ensure a better response to emergency situations and subsequent ownership.
Operational Objectives: 1. Strengthen child protection, cross-border, coordination mechanisms. 2. Reinforce effective cross-border and in-country family tracing and reunification systems. 3. Ensure appropriate technical and logistical support for programme implementation and monitoring. 4. Protect the rights of children affected by war as in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other human rights instruments. 5. Prevent the recruitment of children into the fighting forces.
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GUINEA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Emergency Care and Reintegration of Children, Adolescents and Women (Refugees, IDPs and Foster Communities) Affected by War Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N07 Sector Protection, Human Rights and the Rule of Law Themes Gender, Protection, Human Rights Objectives 1. To ensure the fulfilment of the protection of the rights of children and women as expressed in the CRC, CEDAW and other human rights instruments. 2. To ensure that basic needs are provided to an estimated 50,000 children and women affected by war. 3. To provide reintegration support to an estimated 4,000 unaccompanied/separated children including those from fighting forces (child combatants and children from the civilian defence forces). 4. Contribute to the provision of psychosocial, recreational support and income-generating activities for 25,000 war- affected displaced, refugee children/adolescents and women, particularly those who have been affected by sexual violence and teenage pregnancies. Targeted Beneficiaries 50,000 IDPs, refugees and host community children, adolescents and women in the regions of Kissidougou, Kindia, Faranah, Dabola and Kankan Partners Ministry of Social Affairs, Woman Protection and Childhood, UNHCR, IRC, Enfant Refugies du Monde and national NGOs Project Duration 12 Months Funds Requested US$ 525,000
SUMMARY The Republic of Guinea is overwhelmed by the large number of refugees and IDPs that have flooded the country since the recent rebel attacks from Sierra Leone and Liberia. The majority of them are malnourished, ill, suffering from severe trauma, or have varying combinations of these problems. In addition, many children have been separated from their families. This emergency is leading to a worrisome protection issue for children and women. They are suffering severe psychological stress as a result of witnessing acts of violence and the deaths of close family members. Children are being recruited as soldiers and maiming, rapes, burning of entire villages are just a few of the human rights abuses that are commonplace in the affected regions. A survey conducted in January 2001 confirmed violations of human rights.
Currently, child protection committees, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Enfants Réfugiés du Monde, Center for Victims of Torture (CVT), the American Refugee Committee and local NGOs (ASPIR, Secados, OCPH, etc.) are working to assist the targeted population but the protection and human rights situation for children and women is still critical. Trauma is known to cause potential setbacks to childhood development. Hence, there is a crucial need for appropriate primary health care services to reach communities that have been physically and psychologically traumatised over a long period of time. UNICEF will work with the above-mentioned partners to ensure optimal coordination.
Under this project, UNICEF will ensure the fulfilment of the protection of the rights of children and women as expressed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women and other basic human rights conventions. UNICEF will ensure that the basic needs are provided to an estimated 50,000 children, adolescents and women affected by war. From this group, UNICEF estimates that 4,000 unaccompanied/separated children including ex-child combatants will need to be provided with reintegration support while 25,000 will need psychosocial support particularly for sexual violence and teenage pregnancies. In addition, this targeted group will be supported with recreational and income generating activities.
UNICEF will cooperate closely with key government ministries, NGOs and communities to ensure that interventions are accessible to as many beneficiaries as possible and are delivered in a timely
57 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA manner. Monitoring activities will be conducted under the auspices of UNICEF’s regular monitoring procedures and will include final review, regular field visits, timely reporting, and regular meetings of the emergency task force.
Outputs • 50,000 children and women provided with basic services including access to education, vocational training and apprenticeship, nutritional medical assistance, water and sanitation, psychosocial assistance and recreation. • 4,000 unaccompanied/separated children (including ex-child combatants) reunified with their families and reintegrated into society. • 25,000 children, adolescents (including former child combatants) and women provided with trauma recovery assistance. • Birth registration conducted for all children in the affected areas. • Approximately 5,000 local authorities trained on human rights conventions.
Activities • Strengthen community-based mechanisms such as Child Protection Committees and camp committees on the reintegration of children and women affected by war. • Support a rapid survey on sexual and domestic violence of girls and women. • Support family tracing and reunification activities (identification, registration, documentation). • Provide technical and logistical support for the implementation and monitoring of the project. • Promote birth registration. • Train 5,000 persons on the importance of the CRC, CEDAW, IHR and other international human rights conventions. Those targeted include: security and military forces, civil defence forces, policemen, local authorities, community and religious leaders, social workers, camp leaders and teachers. • Provide judicial assistance to children and women. • Support activities needed to meet special protection standards. • Conduct advocacy and social mobilisation activities to prevent and/or address violations of human rights standards such as child exploitation, abuse, trafficking and labour. Peace education activities and sensitisation campaigns will be organised for Guinean armed forces, traditional healers and host communities. The aim of these campaigns is to protect former child soldiers, children and young women abducted by armed forces and other children recruited into civilian defense forces.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Training on the implementation of CRC/CEDAW, other International Human Rights 65,000 Instruments and peace education Basic needs and trauma recovering programmes for children, adolescents and women in 200,000 Care centres and surrounding villages including birth registration (transit centres, camps; Psycho-social assistance and counselling; Rapid Response Learning; Skills training; basic medical care; Recreation, income generating activities) Family Tracing and Reunification; Alternative care 80,000 Support to local and community structures (Protection Committee, camps committees, 30,000 Guinean Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians, etc.) Social mobilisation and peace education (sensitisation of authorities, local communities 85,000 and families) Field Office Operating Expenses 40,000 HQ indirect programme support 25,000 TOTAL 525,000
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SIERRA LEONE
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Reunification and Reintegration of Separated Children Project Code WA/SIL-01-1/N08 Sector Protection, Human Rights and the Rule of Law Themes IDPs, Refugees, Children, Psycho-social Support, Emergency Response Objective To ensure the successful reunification of separated children returning from Guinea. Targeted Beneficiaries Children: 1,500 (total # & description) Partners Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs; National and International NGOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 151,000
SUMMARY In the Sierra Leone country Appeal for 2001, UNICEF requested US$ 2,030,000 to support some 36,000 children affected by the war, including child soldiers and camp followers, street children and war affected children in IDP camps. While this request remains valid, the escalation of fighting along the common borders of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, which prompted the return of separated Sierra Leonean refugee children from Guinea, has increased the need for support in this area. For the rest of the year 2001, at least 1,500 separated children are expected to be among the refugee returnees. Additional funding is urgently required to increase the capacity of the existing Family Tracing and Reunification Network to address new needs. Between September 2000 and February 2001, the Network assisted more than 300 of these children.
The Family Tracing and Reunification Network (FTRN) is a component of the Child Protection Network (CPN) in Sierra Leone. It currently consists of a network of 100 tracing agents, and would need to be expanded to increase the areas of coverage. With the support of UNICEF, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs in collaboration with an NGO partner will monitor and coordinate tracing and reunification around the country. Coordination and follow-up of tracing requests will be strengthened to ensure that the child spends the minimum amount of time in emergency interim care. The community will be encouraged to take the lead in planning and supporting the reintegration of any child in their community. The best interests of the child will be the guiding principle for the reunification of the child.
Main Activities and Inputs • Family Tracing and Reunification activities such as active tracing, photo tracing and mass tracing. • Community and family sensitisation on the reunification/reintegration of children from the fighting forces. • Provision of technical and logistical support for the implementation and monitoring of the programme. • Development and maintenance of a Tracing Data Base to ensure full documentation of children within the programme and to allow follow-up. • Activation of traditional social care systems to support the reunification and reintegration process.
Key Outputs • Strengthened family tracing network at national, provincial, district and chiefdom level. • Trained staff on all aspects of active tracings: photo tracing and mass tracing. • Trained staff to respond to emergency situations – movement of populations, prevention of separation, emergency tracing and immediate reunification. • Data base documentation of all separated children and tracing requests. • Families and communities sensitised on all aspects of reunification of children.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Training of tracing agents, sensitisation agents, social workers 20,000 Logistical, administrative support to tracing agencies 40,000 Data base development (training, computers) 15,000 Radio tracing and photo tracing (equipment including cameras and film) 10,000 Sensitisation at national, provincial and district levels 5,000 Cross border tracing and reunification 10,000 Community based child protection committees 5,000 Printing of forms and sensitisation material, tracing kits 10,000 Monitoring and evaluation 10,000 Field office operating expenses 18,800 HQ indirect programme support 7,200 (Additional) Total 151,000 GRAND TOTAL (including total requirements in SL CA) 2,181,000
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LIBERIA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATION’S CHILDREN FUND Project Title Reunification and Reintegration of War-Affected Children and Youth Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N09 Sector Protection, Human Rights and the Rule of Law Themes Human Rights, Gender, Protection Targeted Beneficiaries Separated Children and Youth 10,000 children and youth Partners Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports Don Bosco, GTZ, Children’s Assistance Programme, Calvary Chapel, Center for Democratic Empowerment, Kambou’s Angels Project Duration 12 Months Funds Requested US$ 630,000
Objectives: Support the reunification of children separated due to displacement; Promote the sustained reintegration into the community of some 10,000 war-affected youth including former combatants, displaced and unaccompanied children and those at risk of being in conflict with the law - who are in need of special protection.
SUMMARY More than three years after the end of the civil conflict, sub-regional hostilities continue in parts of the country, especially in border areas. Children under 18 years continue to be recruited into various factions and renegade groups. The risk of recruitment and conscription of youth who are under eighteen years has increased recently, due to the border skirmishes between Guinea and Liberia. Many Liberian youth are reportedly involved in the conflict, lured into combat with promises of US dollars and other material incentives. Against a backdrop of 80% unemployment and only 50% of the school age children accessing schools, these children and youth will continue to be preyed upon, their rights abused. As combatants themselves, they constitute a threat to the stability of the sub- region, unless meaningful alternatives are urgently found.
UNICEF's 'Skills for Action' is a reintegration programme, which focuses on social adjustment within the community and vocational skills, where sustainability is ensured such as through agriculture. Using life skills as a key methodological strategy, the intervention has as its central goals:
• To catalyse the leadership of Liberian youth. • To develop, support and sustain human capital through training and capacity building.
The goals to be fulfilled through this project involve combining the creativity and positive energy of youth, the experience and commitment of collaborating NGOs, and the implementation of a life skills curriculum as a strategy for youth engagement, community renewal and education reform. Additionally, small enterprise development in the area of agriculture through expanded availability of land and building skills is foreseen in coordination with FAO's provision of seeds and tools and UNDP's micro-credit schemes.
Project sites will be identified where it is known that youth continue to be at risk of recruitment, where there are significant numbers of IDPs, and in other areas where command structures still exist deep in the bush.
Strategies/Activities • Skills training to build the competencies, skills and personal qualities of Liberian youth in several critical areas: basic skills, community development and vocational skills including masonry and agricultural science. • Social re-integration activities including education for peace, emotional-social life skills building, sport and art as tools to support self confidence and living together in harmony, increased opportunities for connection through dialogue within and across generations. • Economic re-integration activities through increased marketable skills achieved by selective engagement of adolescents in masonry and agriculture and other skills where real opportunities for sustainability exist.
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• Special emphasis will be placed on sensitisation and education on HIV/AIDS. • Improvement of literacy and numeracy skills. • Support from WFP and FAO will be provided to youth to ensure adequate nutrition and possibility for income generation and sustainable livelihood through agricultural inputs. • Technical assistance to Government counterparts on policy formulation, advocacy and sensitisation with policy makers and service providers. • Capacity/institution building of protection personnel and instruments, technical and financial assistance to government and NGO partners and empowerment of communities to generate sustainable solutions for the problems facing children in need of special protection. • Support to monitoring and documentation mechanisms will be strengthened and compliance with guidelines and policies will be ensured. • Advocacy to promote adoption of the Optional Protocol against the recruitment of minors, support to the small arms moratorium among youth.
Expected Outcome • Reduction in numbers of youth engaging in conflict and criminal activities. • Increased number of youth participating in community activities. • Increased numbers of youth engaged in self-employment, apprenticeships and other forms of income generation and employment schemes. • Reduced prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. • Early identification of unaccompanied and separated children. Reunification within a safe and secure environment and with family members. • Alternatives to reunification in the event of inability to identify families with community based care as the key strategy.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Technical assistance 130,000 Operational costs 95,000 Training/capacity building 55,000 Supplies/equipment 180,000 Support to tracing 60,000 Support to reunification 80,000 Indirect programme support 30,000 TOTAL 630,000
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C. COORDINATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Situation Analysis The humanitarian management challenges in Guinea are major and complex. There is a need to ensure compatibility with response efforts there with those in Sierra Leone and Liberia. There is also need for active surveillance of, and timely response to, the situation in the Côte d’Ivoire. These imperatives demand an active presence to ensure strategic coordination, dynamic advocacy, and the management of relevant communications and information within the sub-region.
Sierra Leone has a well-recognised and functioning inter-agency coordination mechanism, which will be maintained. Guinea needs urgently to have a similarly effective coordination mechanism at all levels to improve common needs assessments, effective implementation of programmes and monitoring and evaluation of their impact on beneficiaries. Liberia, though considered a post- emergency country, continues to grapple with pockets of emergency linked to the continuing instability along its borders. Coordination of its relief interventions is, therefore, as important as is its link to rehabilitation and recovery activities.
As the present document attests, several agencies have recognised the importance of establishing or reinforcing their presence in the sub-region. This applies especially to UNICEF, FAO and WHO entities responsible for operational coordination, implementation and monitoring of country and sub- regional activities in key sectors. These include health, education, child protection, agriculture and water and sanitation. Project proposals being submitted in this appeal are designed to augment their current capacities for management sub-regionally.
The recent events in the sub-region have also rendered it indispensable for the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to strengthen its presence there. This should ensure an appropriate, coherent and integrated response to the range of actual or latent humanitarian crises in several of the ECOWAS states. Such a presence should also complement the preventive political actions that are being or will be taken during 2001. The recent United Nations system mission to the Gambia in November 2000 and the eruption of violence in Guinea-Bissau offer two examples of country situations with apparent or latent tensions.
A major recommendation of the OCHA-sponsored meeting of United Nations system entities in Accra in October 2000 was for a preparedness plan for humanitarian intervention to complement current care and maintenance efforts of operational agencies in 2001. The Security Council's mission report advocated a common approach to the problems in the region.
There is a need to complement the operational coordination functions of the various UN agencies, with the necessary strategic coordination, information and communications management and advocacy. These mandated responsibilities of OCHA will be undertaken to ensure durable solutions to the problems in the sub-region, of which humanitarian relief assistance is but a part.
Priorities
OCHA will perform four distinct but related tasks.
1. Provide appropriate country-level support to the United Nations Resident Coordinators in Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, in their management of all aspects of humanitarian issues. To this end, an OCHA Office has been established in Conakry, Guinea comprising three international staff members. In Liberia, OCHA recently deployed a full-time international humanitarian affairs officer to assist the UN Resident Coordinator and the Country Team in managing the country's residual humanitarian challenges. In the Côte d'Ivoire, international personnel will be deployed to assist the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT to respond to the humanitarian challenges resulting from recent events and to develop appropriate preparedness and risk reduction measures. The head of the office in Abidjan is also expected to assume sub- regional responsibilities and, thereby, interact with the sub-regional directors or managers of the various humanitarian partners within and outside the United Nations system. Staff in Abidjan will also monitor conditions throughout the sub-region and be assigned to perform any of OCHA's core functions of information, coordination and advocacy.
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2. In close collaboration with relevant United Nations organisations and other partners, OCHA will facilitate the development and application of appropriate sub-regional principles and practices aimed at reducing the risks that lead to violent crises and minimising the vulnerability of destitute populations to natural and human-induced hazards.
3. In pursuit of its core functions, it will provide the catalyst for sustained advocacy of humanitarian themes, principles and practices as they relate to the complex emergency and natural disaster phenomena. It will also institute, develop and maintain the requisite information and communications management systems for the efficient treatment of humanitarian and cognate issues.
4. OCHA will provide continuous support to other countries in the sub-region on aspects relating to its core competencies of coordination, information and advocacy.
Several initiatives, mainly politico-military, are being developed which could have an impact on the humanitarian strategy and activities in 2001. The first is an imminent meeting between the ECOWAS foreign ministers and the United Nations Security Council. The second is in March when a special high level United Nations system and ECOWAS Secretariat mission is to visit several countries in West Africa. The outcome of both exercises could culminate in a simultaneous and multi-disciplinary approach to seek solutions to fundamental economic and social malaise, which underlie political conflict. If this materialises, then appropriate adjustments have to be made to the common humanitarian action plan.
Operational Objectives • Be a catalyst for the development and use of standard or comparable formats, definitions and methodologies for needs assessment. • Undertake joint needs assessments to promote and facilitate an integrated and cost-effective system-wide response to humanitarian emergencies. • Collect, analyse and disseminate relevant humanitarian, political and economic information to facilitate timely and complementary political and economic intervention. • Support, as appropriate, initiatives, which link humanitarian aid, human rights, and conflict prevention, conflict resolution, post-conflict recovery and peace building. • Promote a “principled approach” to operations under international humanitarian law, including safe and unhindered access to destitute and vulnerable populations, and obtain consensus on ground rules for humanitarian engagement. • Facilitate the development of early warning and disaster preparedness tools for vulnerability and assessment mapping and an effective Geographical Information System. • Convene periodic meetings with partners -- United Nations agencies, NGOs, Government offices and donors -- to review trends, identify most probable scenarios, trigger events that could lead to crisis, and update contingency and operational plans accordingly. • Ensure that priority needs are addressed and sectoral gaps filled, and • Provide electronic access to needs assessment findings, situation and evaluation reports, programme proposals, maps, agency appeals, and financial and material response data of partners. • Collaborate with governments, research, development and civil society institutions in understanding the fundamental causes of crises and in the search for durable solutions to crises and disasters. • Organise workshops, seminars and other events to ensure that the communications with the constituencies in the affected countries are sustained and lead to solution-oriented actions.
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REGIONAL COORDINATION PROGRAMMES
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS Project Title Coordination of humanitarian assistance in the West Africa Sub- region Project Code WA-01-1/N10 Sector Coordination and Support Services Themes Humanitarian access/principles, vulnerable groups, gender, information Objectives Maintain sustainable structures and mechanisms with the capacity to: provide timely and reliable information to guide relief operations; promote the respect for humanitarian principles; ensure that all humanitarian interventions are cost-effectiveness, durable and produce maximum returns to beneficiaries; enhance local capacity as a way of ensuring continuity. Targeted Beneficiaries UN system, NGOs, IGO’s and Government Partners Relevant government bodies, UN agencies and NGOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 2,248,000
SUMMARY In the West Africa sub-region today, new emergencies have developed and old ones persist. The current humanitarian situation is marked by a high degree of complexity and unpredictability. The United Nations system has adopted a sub-regional approach to its humanitarian, development and political response to the situation. The external and internal circumstances affecting humanitarian conditions need to be regularly monitored in order to adapt the common humanitarian strategies and plans to new realities. The level of coordination within the UN system and between the UN and its wide-range of partners would therefore need to be elevated to ensure cost-effectiveness, durable solutions and maximum impact on beneficiaries.
Issues of policy-making, humanitarian principles, human rights, security access, information exchange, common understanding of needs and resource mobilisation, continue to be highlighted in the struggle to alleviate suffering and improve the conditions of populations severely affected by conflict in the sub- region. Through this project, coordination structures will be brought to full capacity, and OCHA will maintain its presence in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire, to enable it perform its mandated functions as stated above.
Main Activities and Strategies:
Sierra Leone Activities and needs for coordination in Sierra Leone remain as outlined in the Country Appeal.
Guinea OCHA has established an office in Conakry, comprising three international staff members. Two other international staff members will be added to provide field coordination and information management. Two national officers will also be recruited to reinforce field coordination and information management. The Office in Guinea will provide a full array of coordination services to the humanitarian community on behalf of the Resident Coordinator, including through collection, collation and dissemination of information, organising and participating in joint assessment missions, and increasing the capacity of the Resident Coordinator’s office to deal with the humanitarian effects of the current emergency.
Liberia OCHA has recently deployed a full-time international officer to Liberia, to support the UN Resident Coordinator and the Country Team on managing the country’s residual humanitarian challenges. OCHA will continue to assist the UNCT in ensuring adequate monitoring and preparation related to the potential humanitarian ramifications of the current instability in the sub-region and the possible humanitarian effects of any sanctions that may be imposed on the country.
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Cote d’Ivoire International personnel will be deployed to assist the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT to respond to the humanitarian challenges resulting from recent events and to develop appropriate preparedness and risk reduction measures. Staff to be based in Abidjan will also monitor conditions throughout the sub-region, facilitating a regional approach to the emergency through the implementation of the sub- regional common humanitarian action plan. The Office will further provide a liaison function with other agencies’ regional offices and provide a backstopping presence for OCHA’s country offices in the sub- region.
In order to address both sub-regional and country-specific information data management needs that can guide policy-making and planning, including digital mapping, operational data, GIS/remote sensing, assessment libraries and databases, the various offices will require appropriate equipment and adequately trained staff. Collation of country data as well as linking all operational data of the sub- region using a common approach will be crucial. It is also hoped that the other country offices will benefit from the resources available at the Sierra Leone Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC).
The OCHA offices will also aim to strengthen the capacity of the relevant national government, non- governmental and community-based organisations to lead, plan and manage humanitarian assistance programmes in the relevant sectors of concern in order to ensure sustainability and consistency with national development goals.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Guinea: Personnel (international and national) 600,000 Operating Costs 400,000 Technical and Material support to local counterparts 30,000 Sub-Total 1,030,000 Liberia: Personnel (international and national) 150,000 Operating Costs 60,000 Technical and material support to local counterparts 15,000 Programme support costs (3%) 15,000 Sub Total 240,000 Cote d’Ivoire (country/regional) Personnel (international and national) 450,000 Operating Costs 400,000 Technical and material support to partners 100,000 Programme support costs (3%) 28,000 Sub Total 978,000 TOTAL 2,248,000
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REGIONAL CAPACITY – COTE D’IVOIRE – FAO
Appealing Agency FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION Project Title Support to coordination of agricultural relief operations in the West African Sub-region (Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia) Project Code WA-01-1/N11 Sector Coordination and Support Services Objectives To provide better coverage of all agricultural needs; to enhance overall coherence of the interventions; to provide a thorough emergency needs assessment and a prompt dispatch of ad hoc summarised information to the donors, UN organisations and all partners concerned. Targeted Beneficiaries Vulnerable populations and host communities affected by the presence of refugees and IDPs and resettled displaced populations, households that need minimum inputs required for their subsistence farming Partners Ministries of Agriculture and Social Affairs in the different countries, UN agencies and NGOs Project Duration March 2001- February 2002 Funds Requested US$ 300,000
SUMMARY The West African Sub-region is affected by conflicts that have a deteriorating impact on food security. Many agencies, including NGOs, UN agencies and national partners, are involved in providing assistance to agricultural communities. However, there is a need to strengthen coordination of emergency agricultural operations to enhance the overall coherence of the interventions in the agriculture sector in the region. It is also expected that better coordination and information will enable effective targeting of the most vulnerable groups, including displaced populations that have been resettled, host communities affected by the presence of refugees and IDPs. In this respect, FAO is developing databases on affected population needs in Sierra Leone. The adaptation of these tools to other countries of the region will contribute to the establishment of a sound regional coordination mechanism. This project aims to facilitate inter-agency cooperation and collaboration. The project is also expected to improve the impact on the beneficiary population, of emergency agriculture operations, through a common and efficient approach to the monitoring and assessment of needs, and provision of direct technical support to agricultural emergency programmes at the national and regional level.
In order to increase the efficiency of relief operations for the agricultural sector in these countries, FAO plans to establish a Regional Coordination Unit (Côte d’Ivoire). This Unit will:
• ensure, through OCHA, close collaboration and coordination with other UN Agencies and partners involved in relief and emergency activities in the West African Sub-region. • harmonise and standardise FAO methods for assessing agricultural needs of affected households at the country and regional level. • facilitate timely dissemination of needed information to UN Agencies, NGOs, national institutions and partners involved in relief and emergency activities in the West Africa Sub-region. • contribute to emergency needs assessment in areas not covered by country coordination, in close collaboration with country information units when they exist. • prepare regional syntheses of agricultural emergency needs and provide in time ad hoc necessary information to donors and UN and NGO partners. • enhance the overall coordination and harmonisation of FAO emergency and relief interventions related to food security of affected populations, and manage agricultural emergency interventions at the regional level whenever needed. • prepare regional syntheses on FAO agricultural emergency interventions in the different countries of the West African Sub-region, and monitor and assess the impact of these interventions. • inform the international community and in particular, donors on relevant agricultural emergency interventions. • assist countries and/or areas not covered by current country coordination units in fundraising for the agriculture sector.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Personnel: International and national technical expertise for 12 months 210,000 National Consultant (12 months) 25,000 Administrative support (secretary and driver) 15,000 Official travel for regional workshops with Country Coordinators and backstopping missions 20,000 from FAO Headquarters General and direct operating costs 30,000 TOTAL 300,000
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UNICEF REGIONAL COORDINATION CAPACITY – COTE D’IVOIRE
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Regional Office Support to Sub-Regional Coordination Project Code WA-01-1/N12 Sector Coordination and Support Services Objectives Reinforcing and strengthening in-country capacities, whilst ensuring the focus of UNICEF activities are set in a regional context. UNICEF aims to strengthen country office’s support through enhanced regional support. Providing emergency education for refugees Partners OCHA, UN agencies, NGOs Project Duration January – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 540,750
SUMMARY Given the volatile situation in the sub-region, there is a need for greater coordination of efforts for children and women. Specifically, the situation in Guinea, linked to the ongoing emergency situation for children and women in Sierra Leone and Liberia necessitated a strengthening of UNICEF Regional Office in Abidjan, which will coordinate UNICEF’s emergency programmes outlined under the sub- regional appeal for Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Additionally, the sub-regional project will include a small component for emergency education for refugees in Cote d’Ivoire and provision of basic emergency supplies to be sourced, procured and transported within 72 hours that will be available for unforeseen emergencies in the four countries within the sub-region.
Statistics indicate that approximately 110,000 Liberian refugees (including 50,000 unregistered) remained in the four administrative regions known as the “Zone d’Acceuil”. Based on official statistics, 4,700 6-year-old Liberian children are now of age and enrolled in schools; 7,974 Liberian children enrolled last year in ADRA-run classes will need to repeat their first year in a fully Ivorian classroom. Government has pledged its commitment to fully integrate these 13,000 refugee children during the 2000-2001 school year. However, there is urgent need for financial and technical assistance to repair and equip additional classrooms, select and equip qualified teachers with a minimum package of teaching and learning materials, and provide crucially needed in-service training to all teachers in the refugee area. In addition, basic school materials will need to be provided to individual children who are unable to purchase them on the local market.
Strategies Activities The component for reinforcing sub-regional capacity will be implemented through systematic back- stopping, re-orientation, training and re-training of staff, deployment of specialised staff to support assessment or specific technical actions and providing logistical and administrative support to country offices. Regional preparedness and capacity to respond to sudden emergencies will be enhanced through continual updating of contingency plans, ensuring stocks of relief supplies are available at a regional level. The regional office will ensure the integration of vulnerability analysis and preparedness into the programme of each country on the region will also address cross-border and politically sensitive issues in support of country offices and ensure coordination with UN, the ICRC and NGO partners. Synergy between each of the countries in planning and implementing programmes will be pursued.
To support refugee education, and in partnership with UNHCR and WFP, UNICEF will support Cote d’Ivoire’s Ministries of Education and Interior to implement the integration process for 2000-2001. UNHCR will finance teachers’ salaries, and will mobilise funds for additional classroom construction and equipment costs. WFP will contribute to the operation of school canteens.
UNICEF SUPPORT Based on a planning figure of 13,000 refugee children, UNICEF/Cote d’Ivoire, pending availability of resources, will contribute to the costs of:
• teaching and educational materials to CP1 teachers; • furniture and pupils’ learning supplies to CP1 classrooms; and, • technical and financial assistance to in-service training of CP1 teachers.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Additional security and communications equipment 120,000 Emergency supplies (health kits, cholera kits, purification tablets, ORS, vaccines & cold 175,000 chain equipment) 1 L4 emergency officer 100,000 School materials, equipment, in-service training, basic furniture for 300 classrooms 120,000 HQ indirect programme support 25,750 TOTAL 540,750
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HEALTH AND NUTRITION-- WHO REGIONAL COORDINATION CAPACITY – Côte d’Ivoire
Appealing Agency WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Project Title Strengthening Sub-regional Coordination Project Code WA-01-1/N13 Sector Health and Nutrition Themes Coordination, information, security Objectives Ensuring sub-regional capacity for Coordination; Strengthen the health information systems and cross border Surveillance; Facilitate information exchange between health authorities of adjacent districts in neighbouring countries and between partners from UN agencies and NGOs; Provide regular health information bulletins to help timely intervention in health emergencies; Support harmonisation of standard procedures and protocol among the countries of Liberia, Guinea , Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone Targeted Beneficiaries IDPs, refugees and affected host populations living along borders of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire Partners UNICEF, UNHCR, NGOs, Ministries of Health and local governments Project Duration January - December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 1,166,000
SUMMARY In the countries of West Africa the health situation/status of the population remains below minimum standards, as infectious/communicable diseases continue to affect the general population, as well as IDPs and refugees. Population movements across borders initiated by continued fighting and rebel attacks complicate the handling of information as well as the health needs assessment of the populations of these countries and especially those at the border areas. Moreover, the number of actors in the humanitarian and health sectors from NGOs as well as the UN agencies along with the cross cutting health issues in those countries create the imperative for a health-focused coordination mechanism.
WHO attempts to provide health information bulletins and surveillance data to partners and health authorities in the various countries, contributing to cross-border health interventions. In 2001, WHO is ready to coordinate all health related issues in the region by posting a coordinator in Abidjan and field coordinators in the countries concerned. WHO will continue to provide technical support and normative guidance to national and regional health actors and authorities, UN agencies and NGOs in the implementation of health services to the local population, IDPs and refugees, through dissemination of information resulting from cross-border surveillance; health needs assessment and producing standardised protocols.
Strategy and objectives • Coordinating interventions and activities in the sub-region, across borders and in the field. • Establishing or reinforcing existing health information systems. • Providing technical support and promoting use of standardised protocols. • Networking and exchanging information.
Activities 1. Appointing and fielding a sub-regional health coordinator who will ensure that all health related activities with the local authorities, various UN partners and NGOs in the sub-region are coordinated. 2. Convene regular meetings between health officials and WHO staff from the 4 countries. 3. Conduct needs assessment, joint planning, implementation, monitoring and follow-up on emergency public health interventions. 4. Prepare and disseminate sub-regional health newsletter/updates. 5. Develop a regional health information system and a database.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Recruitment of coordinators (3) sub-regional and country 600,000 Preparation for a sub-regional meeting 150,000 Preparation and dissemination of a newsletter 100,000 Establishment of a regional health information system, including regional database 150,000 Coordinated project management, monitoring and evaluation 100,000 Sub total 1,100,000 Programme support cost (6%) 66,000 TOTAL 1,166,000
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COUNTRY PROGRAMMES FOR COORDINATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
GUINEA
IDP DATABASE (UNFPA)
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND Project Title Displaced People Census Database Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N14 Sector Coordination Themes IDPs, information Objectives To proceed with the mapping of the host and origin sites of displaced people; To collect information on accessibility of the sites and the distance between them and the sub-prefecture township; To identify and count the displaced people; To define profile of the displaced population on the basis of their demographic and socio-economic features and intent to return to sites of origin; To collect information on their conditions of accommodation in the host families. Targeted Beneficiaries All those intervening in the management of the situation of displaced people (Government, UN System, NGOs and other humanitarian agencies. Partners BNR/NCO and BNCR/NRCB Project Duration Two months and a half Funds Requested US$ 60,433
SUMMARY Since September 2000, the Republic of Guinea has suffered from rebel attacks at its borders with Liberia and Sierra Leone. The extent and the atrocity of these attacks have caused considerable loss of human lives and huge material losses in the prefectures of Macenta, Gueckedou and Kissidougou (in Forest Guinea) and at Forecariah and Kindia (in Lower Guinea). These attacks also caused the resident population and refugees living in the areas concerned to move into the country’s hinterland.
Aware of limitations of the domestic assistance that was spontaneously organised by the Guinean population, the Government called on international community to provide aid to the distressed populations. The predicament of the displaced people and refugees became especially worrisome following the attacks. Indeed, the violence of those last attacks led to a local population running away. While there are mechanisms for management of refugees in the country, and while such initiatives are already being implemented, it is not so for the internally displaced whose situation is a new reality. Those are dispersed within the country, especially in the Faranah, Kankan and N’Zérékkoré regions, seeking refuge with relatives or friends.
In parallel to distribution of foodstuffs and medicines already underway in some prefectures, the UN System is working on the establishment of a mechanism for rapid evaluation of the humanitarian situation of displaced people that will enable organising rational and efficacious assistance. But the lack of reliable information on the localisation, composition and profile of the displaced population would be a major impediment to the implementation of this project. In remedy to this situation, it thus appears indispensable to organise a systematic census of displaced people in the host areas. Data from this census would constitute the first elements of the database.
Outputs Systematic census of displaced people would facilitate: 1. The production of maps of all host sites and sites of the origin of displaced people and materialisation of inlets to those sites. 2. Knowledge of the geographical distribution of displaced people. 3. Knowledge of the profile of displaced people (demographic and socio-economic features). 4. Information on their intent to return to their sites of origin. 5. Information on their conditions of accommodation in host families.
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Activities 1. Preparatory works 2. Data collection on the fields 3. Data processing, analysing 4. Dissemination of the results in humanitarian community
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Mapping works 4,731 Data collection 15,195 Fuel 3,974 Printing 8,298 Supplies 992 Vehicles 14,467 Data processing 10,022 National Consultant 2,156 Miscellaneous (1%) 598 TOTAL 60,433
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DEMOGRAPHIC and SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATABASE
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND Project Title Demographic and Socio-economic Database Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N15 Sector Coordination and Support Services Theme Information, Gender, Protection Objectives 1. Setting up a unique reliable, operational and coherent data system on displaced people. 2. Centralising and regularly updating basic data on the number, geographical location, demographic and socio-economic characteristics and housing conditions of displaced persons. 3. Collecting and processing basic data required for a rational planning of the overall operations of assistance to displaced persons. 4. Facilitating the monitoring of the development of the situation regarding displaced persons. 5. Making available basic information needed to organise the return of displaced populations to their areas of origin when conditions permit. Targeted Beneficiaries Government, NGOs and other relief and donor Agencies Partners BNR and BNCR Project Duration Six months Project Cost US$ 64,604
SUMMARY The plight of displaced persons has become seriously worrying after the last attacks of December 2000, which sent over 150,000 people fleeing their homes. Unfortunately, the international solidarity is not yet operational in the field because there is no efficient mechanism or system so far likely to permit any accurate assessment of humanitarian assistance requirements. The need for establishing an adequate system to collect information and a mechanism to build a reliable and operational database is felt as a sine qua non pre-requisite for any worthy humanitarian intervention. This has prompted the Government and the UN System to set up a unique database that could gather all information relating to the situation of displaced persons.
The constituent elements of such database will be as follows:
• Information, resulting from mapping work carried out on the sites of origin and host sites of displaced people; • Census figures of displaced people; • Data on the assessment of relief needs of displaced persons in various fields (food, water, health, agriculture, environment).
In other words, the database will include all necessary information needed for the rational and effective coordination of the situation facing displaced people on the host sites and sites of origin in view of preparing their return once the hostilities are over.
The database will be regularly updated according to the development of the situation of the displaced people on the field. To that end, a monitoring and follow-up system will be worked out for the collection of information on specified dates or when an exceptional case of need arises close with OCHA. Through the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government and all other actors on the field will be called upon to help update the database.
Outputs Establishing a reliable database will allow: • a more accurate assessment of assistance needs to displaced people; • a better organisation of coordination of humanitarian relief and fund raising with donors; • Designing coherent and suitable assistance programmes which address the various areas of intervention aimed at displaced persons; • Regular monitoring of the development of the situation of displaced persons; • Institutional capacity building of the BNCR in the evaluation and monitoring of displaced people.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Staffing (4 experts and a driver) 12,527 Hardware (computers, printers inverters) 7,705 Non fungible equipment (photocopier, air conditioner) 2,829 Software and furniture 1,045 Maintenance (6 months) 647 Fuel 39,851 TOTAL 64,604
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CAPACITY BUILDING
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Project Title National Capacity Building for Coordination and Monitoring of Assistance to War-Affected Populations Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N16 Sector Capacity Building and Peace Building Themes Coordination, Bureau National for the Coordination of Refugees (BNCR), IDPs and Refugees Objective To strengthen the operational capacities of the BNCR and its local offices Targeted Beneficiaries Approximately 15 staff of BNCR and its local offices and 400,000 IDP’s and refugees Partners OCHA, UNV, NGOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 650,000
SUMMARY Given the sudden internal displacement of Guineans as a result of intensified border violence, the Bureau National de Coordination des Réfugiés (BNCR) has had to expand its responsibilities beyond coordination of response to refugees, to include the IDPs.
The office is struggling to cope with the increased workload. In addition, the assistance UNHCR currently provides to the BNCR and to its local offices does not take into account this new dimension. If BNCR’s offices are not provided with the capacity building tools necessary to handle emergency situations at the local level, the office and Guinea may continually rely only on external support to meet future challenges.
UNDP is therefore poised to assist the Ministry of Interior in establishing a local office of BNCR in Kankan (Haute-Guinée) and strengthen the operational capacities (coordinators, monitors, staff, motorbikes and communication equipment) of existing offices in N’Zérékoré, Guéckédou and Forécariah. UNDP will collaborate with UNHCR to ensure adequate coordination. In addition, UNDP will work with OCHA and other partners to supply the information for the database.
Outputs • An improved response to the needs of IDPs • Eight trained local BNCR staff • Transportation and communications equipment which will be donated once the project is over
Activities • Hiring of 8 national field workers for the 4 offices • Hiring of 6 international UNVs and 1 CTA to train and advise the local staff and coordinate activities • Timely collection and transmission of data to BNCR HQs concerning IDPs, host communities; food availability and non food item distributions to target beneficiaries • Weekly missions to localities hosting IDPs and refugee camps
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ 1 International CTA 175,000 6 international UNVs – 2 in CKY and one in each field office 150,000 8 national field workers (2 in each field office) 40,000 2 4x4 vehicles 75,000 12 motor bikes 36,000 Communication equipment 50,000 Operation and official travel 100,000 Training (4 workshops, one in each office) 24,000 TOTAL 650,000
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D. SUPPORT SERVICES GUINEA
Appealing Agency INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Project Title Supplementary Emergency Transport Assistance Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N17 Sector Coordination and Support Services Theme Access Objectives To contribute to national and regional population stabilisation; to ensure the orderly movement of IDPs and refugees to safer areas; to support the on-going disbursement of international aid to vulnerable groups Targeted Beneficiaries IDPs as well as refugee populations in prefectures of Kissidougou, Gueckadou, Macenta, Nzerekore. Partners UN agencies, international and national NGOs, national and local authorities Project Duration February – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 1,711,000
SUMMARY Since the September and December 2000 border attacks from Sierra Leone and Liberia, some 150,000 Guinea nationals have been displaced within their own country. In addition, Guinea hosts some 420,000 refugees, mainly Sierra Leoneans and Liberians. The fighting and resulting populace flight continues, as evidenced by February heavy fighting especially in and around the town of Gueckadou. The result has been the panicked exodus of tens of thousands of refugees/IDPs. The transport of IDPs/refugees to safer areas such as the UNHCR camp of Albadaria, the pick up of food and non-food items from the war affected area of Gueckadou, and the delivery of food and non-food items to Albadaria, as well as to those refugees and IDP’s still in troubled areas, is a pressing concern for humanitarian organisations and to the Government of Guinea.
The existing means of transportation is insufficient. Neither UNHCR, GTZ, WFP nor any other international or local organisations have enough trucks or funding to fully cover transport needs; not to mention contingency planning for renewed fighting and a possible mass exodus from the area known as the “Parrots Beak,” southwest of Gueckadou. Transport is needed to move IDP’s and refugees to safer areas, and to provide food and non-food items for those in war-affected areas who either choose to stay or simply do not have the financial means to leave. The establishment of a properly equipped and managed fleet of vehicles with accompanying trained staff can contribute to the on-going distribution of international aid and the movement of affected populations to safer areas. If sufficient transport needs are not available, affected populations will be forced to stay against their will or part with relatively large sums of money in order to hire transport.
Assessment as to the best use of vehicles and staff will be made in close coordination with UNHCR, ICRC, WFP; international and local NGOs. IOM will also coordinate closely with the Government of the Republic of Guinea through the office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Bureau for Coordination of Refugees (BNCR) and local government authorities.
The main objectives of IOM and its partners is to contribute to national and regional population stabilisation; ensure the orderly movement of IDPs and refugees to safer areas; support the on-going disbursement of international aid, and to enhance risk reduction through competent contingency planning backed by a viable transport mechanism. This means that vehicles, staff and organisational structures should be in place, operable and fall within an effective management structure as quickly as possible.
It should be noted that vehicles purchased under the IOM “Return and Reintegration” project proposal could be utilised for the purpose of this project in order to avoid unnecessary and duplicating expenditures.
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Outputs • Establishment of an orderly migration flow of IDPs and refugees to safer havens • Establishment of an effective transport system and transport infrastructure • Establishment of an effective and swift distribution transport mechanism of humanitarian aid to affected populations
Main Activities • Identifying and security depots and carpool areas • Procurement and deployment of transport vehicles • Identify and equip an office and hire office staff • Establish and field-test a logistics operations plan and database • Ensure sufficient supply of spare parts, oil and fuel for all vehicles • Field well-trained drivers and mechanics • Transport of refugees and IDP’s to safe areas • Provision of food and water during transport • Reception at final destination • Writing and distributing project reports and periodic updates
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ 1 Fleet Manager 37,000 Technical Personnel 103,000 50 national drivers/mechanics 121,000 50 national transport assistants 110,000 4 batches of training sessions for drivers 18,000 Office supplies 46,000 40 Lorries/Buses – purchase/in-kind 953,000 Fuel, oil and spare parts 136,000 Purchase of 4 all-terrain vehicles 92,000 Communications/communication equipment 56,000 Administration and operational support 39,000 TOTAL 1,711,000
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Appealing Agency INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Project Title Return and Reintegration Assistance to IDPs Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N18 Sector Support Services Themes Access, Security, IDPs Objectives To contribute to national and regional population stabilisation; to ensure the safe and orderly return of IDPs to their communities of origin; to provide IDPs with immediate assistance in their efforts to resettle. Targeted Beneficiaries 50,000 IDPs and population of hosting communities in and along the prefectures of Kissidougou, Dabola and Faranah Partners UN Agencies; international and national NGOs; national and local authorities Project Duration April – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 2,003,450
SUMMARY Following the September and December 2000 border attacks and skirmishes, some 150,000 persons are displaced within Guinea. UNDP and IOM will cooperate closely with UNHCR in an effort to fund activities that contribute to the easing of tensions between communities and the refugee population. IDPs without sufficient funds to pay for transport were forced to walk from areas such as the “Parrot’s Beak to the relative safety of Kissidougou. Since Guinea is a country where ethnic divisions and boundaries are of paramount importance, IDPs who are not from the Kissi ethnic group were forced to pay 50,000 Guinean Francs and move to their own ethnic areas further the north.
This project will contribute to the orderly migration of IDPs by setting up a reliable, effective transport system for a safe and regularised return of approximately 50,000 displaced persons from the prefectures of Kissidougou, Dabola and Faranah to their home communities along the southern border areas. Prior to departure, IOM will ensure that returnees undergo a pre-departure medical exam and be provided with reintegration packages in order to enable them a window of time in which they can concentrate on re-establishing their normal activities of life.
Return of IDPs will only be conducted after safety is ensured. The project will provide reintegration kits. This reintegration assistance will be provided only to those family heads whose return is facilitated through this project. Project staff will escort transport vehicles and a receiving project team will be positioned at the receiving end. In order to avoid duplication of budget line items, trucks purchased under the “Supplementary Emergency Transport” proposal can also be used for the return of IDP’s.
Return will be arranged and organised in close cooperation with UNDP, UNHCR, FAO, WHO and UNICEF. IOM will also cooperate closely with the ICRC in order to ascertain the safety of return routes and destination villages, to better identify the exact locations and numbers of IDP’s willing to return, and to better understand the time-frame within which the returns should take place. IOM will also coordinate closely with the Government of the Republic of Guinea through the office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Bureau for Coordination of Refugees (BNCR) and local government authorities. In addition, they will cooperate closely with the NGO “Africare”, especially in the prefecture of Dabola in order to benefit from Africare’s on-going IDP population and attitude surveys. Potential areas of cooperation and collaboration also exist with NGO’s such as MSF.
Without return and reintegration assistance, IDPs will be forced to pay for transport, risk travel in medically unsound conditions, and arrive home lacking life’s basic necessities. In short, the return would possess the characteristics of an unorganised, unregulated migratory flow.
Output • Regularisation of migration flow • Establishment of a reliable and effective transport system • Safe return of approximately 50,000 medically fit to travel IDP’s to their home communities from prefectures of Dabala, Kissidougou and Faranah • Increased well-being of IDP’s upon arrival to their home communities • 60 trained local logisticians/drivers
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Main Activities • Identification of and securing of staging, resting and transit points • Identification of vehicle depot and maintenance shops • Procurement/rental and deployment of initial transport vehicles, when necessary • Establishment of and field-testing of a logistics operations plan and database • Procurement and warehousing of reintegration supplies • Establishment of office and hiring of staff • Distribution of reintegration kits • Safety and discipline training for drivers and mechanics • Pre-embarkation medical checks • Provision of escorts, operation and/or medical • Preparation of regular statistical reports on returnees and their locations
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Item US$ International staff 126,000 30 national drivers / mechanics 81,000 60 national transport assts / mechanics 135,000 8 national social workers / counsellors 18,000 8 national community organisers 18,000 Training session for drivers 111,250 Office supplies 60,000 Communication/communication equipment 37,500 40 lorries/buses- Rental/purchase/in-kind contribution 780,000 Fuel, oil and spare parts 144,000 Reintegration kits 375,000 4 all-terrain vehicles (purchase/rental) 75,000 Administrative and operational support 42,700 TOTAL 2,003,450
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E. ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Situation Analysis The dire economic situation in the four countries is one of the underlying causes of the current instability. Unemployment rates in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone continue to rise, reaching as high as 80% in some cases (see country profiles). The situation in Cote d’Ivoire, though relatively better, gives cause for concern especially because of the low commodity prices of the country's export crops.
The already depleted Guinean economy has suffered further deterioration as a result of the recent violence, destruction and displacement in the Forest Region, the most active area in trade and commerce. Many families, which initially supported less privileged relatives in other parts of the country, are now dependents of those relatives. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of basic services such as water and sanitation, health and education. Although a large part of the agricultural land in the provinces in Guinea has been planted, a lot of land remains idle and most private sector enterprises continue to be adversely affected. The return and reintegration of destitute IDPs into home communities would be greatly facilitated by well-designed income-generation initiatives in their favour. UNDP has been implementing quick impact labor-intensive small-scale projects in Forecariah that need to be expanded in all the affected areas.
In Liberia, the impact of the war on living standards prompted UNDP and other UN agencies to introduce micro-credit schemes to reduce poverty, in particular, among youth, women and returnees and IDPs. These interventions have helped more than 6,000 poor people to date. However poverty remains a threat to the stability of Liberia and its neighbours. The continuing security problems and lack of economic prospects have rendered a growing number of people indigent.
In Sierra Leone, the provision of income-generating opportunities for a substantial segment of the population will provide an alternative mode of income to youth who would otherwise become rebels. There are however no additional projects being submitted for Sierra Leone under this framework. The projects requested in the Country Appeal remain valid and merit urgent and full response.
Priorities Through activities presented under this sector, UN Agencies aim to break the cycle of conflict, displacement and misery; and promote community reconciliation, human development, national recovery, stability and improved security. The immediate priority is to save lives and maintain livelihoods of the most vulnerable segments of the war-affected population, including their host communities. A community-based economic recovery assistance package has, therefore, been developed in each case to enhance the absorptive capacity of the host communities, while meeting the immediate self-sustaining needs of the displaced population. Target areas in each country also include areas with high refugee/returnee populations. With regard to Cote d’Ivoire, UN Agencies are in consultations with the authorities to identify specific activities, which could be undertaken in the short term to prevent a further deterioration of the situation.
Strategy The strategy is to provide a flexible and well-coordinated rapid funding mechanism to support viable and easily implemented community assistance projects. Activities will aim to support NGO initiatives that will facilitate access to credit opportunities to finance income-generating projects. This community- based approach will help reduce tension between the host communities and the IDPs or refugees/returnees. Activities will be used as an advocacy tool for reconciliation, resettlement, improving women self-reliance and encouraging interaction between different communities.
Competencies and Capacities UNDP, IOM, UNHCR, FAO, bilateral organisations and NGOs all have the appropriate competencies and capacities to execute projects in this sector. UNDP in particular has ongoing community reintegration programmes, in close collaboration with the governments and NGOs. In some countries like Sierra Leone, the international financial institutions such as the World Bank are also providing significant support in this area. For the projects presented under this framework, UNDP, IOM and related UN agencies will work closely with government counterparts and NGOs to implement the projects for specific categories of beneficiaries in the respective countries. They will also coordinate with the Government of the Republic of Guinea through the office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Bureau for Coordination of Refugees (BNCR) and local government authorities.
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Operational Objectives • Creation of an enabling and conducive environment for the re-establishment of remunerative work opportunities • Increased availability of domestic revenue through farming, fishing and other opportunities • Community recovery activities (rehabilitation of roads, strengthening the agriculture system, small scale manufacturing such as shoe making and sewing) • NGO initiatives which encourage community recovery and create income-generating opportunities • Labour- intensive food/cash for work projects for small rehabilitation programmes of infrastructure • Resettlement and reintegration of vulnerable groups particularly youth, women, refugees, returnees and IDPs • Trained cadre of NGOs in managing micro-enterprises • Credit facilities to direct beneficiaries, particularly unemployed youth and women
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GUINEA
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE AND INCOME GENERATION – UNDP/IOM
Appealing Agencies UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME / INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Project Title Quick Impact Community Assistance/Community-Based Assistance for Population Stabilisation Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N19A-B Sector Community Assistance and Income Generation Themes IDPs, Refugees and Host Communities Objectives To contribute to national and regional population stabilisation; to enhance the absorption capacity of IDP and refugee host communities; to provide for the immediate self-sustaining needs of the displaced population. Targeted Beneficiaries UNDP: Approximately 50,000 IDPs and hosting communities in and along the prefectures of Kankan, Forekariah and Kindia.
IOM: Approximately 50,000 IDPs and hosting communities in and along the prefectures of Faranah, Dabola, and Kissidougou Partners UN agencies, international and national NGOs, national and local government authorities Project Duration UNDP: 12 months / IOM: April – December 2001 Funds Requested UNDP US$ 1,969,000 IOM US$ 1,041,750
SUMMARY The September and December 2000 attacks along Guinea’s border with Sierra Leone and Liberia spurned the flight of Guinean nationals from their communities to safer areas. Since that time, fighting continues and the area remains highly volatile leaving some 150,000 Guineans internally displaced. This sudden influx of IDPs has strained the local resources of host communities and families.
In some of these communities there are also a few refugees, who are often unfavorably perceived by the local community. Therefore, IOM and UNDP have specifically chosen projects that target areas where there are substantial IDPs, as well as refugee populations. These projects are designed with the view that hosting communities will perceive a positive link between international assistance and the hosting of both IDPs and refugee populations.
One proven mechanism to better manage the negative impact of this sudden and uncontrolled migration of IDPs and refugees is to provide a coordinated, rapid and flexible funding mechanism for community assistance projects that are easily implemented, monitored and evaluated. UNDP and IOM, and their partners aim to stabilise the population and regularise migration flows through community-based livelihood assistance projects. Project activities will enhance the absorption capacity of the host communities, help provide for the immediate self-sustaining needs of the displaced population, as well as contribute to the lessening of tensions between IDPs, refugees and the host communities. UNDP will target approximately 50,000 IDPs and their host communities in and along the prefectures of Kankan, Forekariah and Kindia. IOM will target approximately 50,000 IDPs and their hosting communities in and along the prefectures of Faranah, Dabola, and Kissidougou.
IOM and UNDP will cooperate closely with ICRC in order to better identify the exact locations and numbers of IDPs, as well as their economic and social impact on the host communities. IOM will also cooperate closely with the NGO Africare, especially in the prefecture of Dabola in order to benefit from Africare’s on-going IDP population surveys so that project activities will better correspond with the actual needs of IDPs and host communities. UNDP/ IOM will also cooperate closely with UNHCR in an effort to fund activities that contribute to the easing of tensions between communities and the refugee population. Depending on the type of community assistance projects funded, potential areas of cooperation and collaboration exist with UN agencies such as WFP, FAO, UNICEF, WHO; international NGO’s such as Save the Children (US), MSF, OXFAM; and local NGO’s such as OCPH.
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Output • Regularisation of migration flow • Community assistance projects that enhance the livelihood and well-being of IDPs, refugees and host communities • Reduction of tension among IDPs, refugees and host communities • Enhancement of local resource capacities
Activities • Establishing a coordinated, flexible and rapid funding and monitoring network • Awarding grants to community assistance projects and implementing labor-intensive projects • Establishing offices in target areas • Hiring and training staff in target areas • Reporting to organisational and governmental partners • Identifying and utilising local organisations to the maximum extent throughout its duration to ensure responsiveness to local needs • Providing training to IDPs and project participants in the host communities
FINANCIAL SUMMARY UNDP IOM International staff 179,000 74,250 National staff 90,000 67,500 Travel 25,000 18,750 Office costs 25,000 18,750 Training/Capacity building 25,000 18,750 Community assistance projects 1,500,000 750,000 Evaluation and audit 15,000 11,250 Administration and operations support 20,000 15,000 Equipment 90,000 67,500 TOTAL 1,969,000 1,041,750
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LIBERIA
SELF EMPLOYMENT THROUGH MICRO-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Project Title Self-Employment Through Micro-Enterprise Development Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N20 Sector Economic Recovery Themes Gender, Peacebuilding, Security Objectives To create opportunities for self-employment; improve the income level of 10,000 youths, women and IDPs/returnees in Bong, Lofa and Nimba counties; Build a micro-finance inter-mediation capacity in order to sustain micro-credit operations in these counties. Targeted Beneficiaries Youths, Women, Returnees and IDPs and Host communities in Bong, Lofa and Nimba Counties Partners Local NGOs (AFL, LCUNA, SELF, SDP, LCDR and NAWOCOL). Project Duration 12 Months Funds Requested US$ 565,000
SUMMARY Four years since the end of the civil war, Liberia still wears the scars of conflict. It is estimated that as many as 20,000 Liberians have been displaced as a result of the continuing violent clashes between government forces and rebel groups particularly in the border counties of Lofa and Nimba.
This situation is exacerbated by the existing ethnic tensions in the country. The absence of formal and informal education leads to high levels of violence among youth and their recruitment into the fighting forces. Social and economic deprivation causes Liberian youths to get involved in banditry. Very high unemployment rate is a major cause of instability.
Since 1997, UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Liberia introduced a micro-credit scheme to reduce poverty by targeting the poorest of the poor with special focus on youth, women and war displaced. As a result of the interventions, at least 6,000 poor women have benefited from income generating activities. Other UN agencies, namely UNICEF and UNHCR have also contributed to small- scale micro-credit activities for women, children, refugees and returnees. The UNDP/ILO Vocational Training for Employment and Self-Employment Project delivered decentralised skill training to about 10,000 ex-combatants and other conflict-affected persons in demand-oriented skills. Some communities have been revived through the renovation of basic social delivery. WFP embarked on food-for-work projects for returnees and other war-affected, which complemented other efforts. The Micro-credit Project has helped to resettle many IDPs/refugees, and has enabled the most vulnerable to start their own small business and generate income.
These achievements notwithstanding, the resources available through these regular programmes are not adequate to meet existing and new challenges. Interventions in this area in Liberia will have a far- reaching impact, helping to stabilise communities and the sub-region as a whole, and to create conditions for sustainable peace and security. Additional funds are urgently required to increase the scope and geographical coverage, especially in support of the newly displaced and returning refugees.
Activities The project will focus on the following: • Promotion of resettlement and reintegration of vulnerable groups particularly women, youth, returnees and IDPs in Bong, accessible parts of Lofa and Nimba counties. • Provide credit facilities to over 10,000 direct beneficiaries (ie 5,000 unemployed youth and 5,000 women, returnees and IDPs). • Provide training workshops and build the capacities of local NGOs in managing micro-enterprises. • Create an enabling environment for micro-enterprises development at community level by the deliberate formulation and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures.
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Key Outputs • 10,000 youth, women, returnees and IDPs would have obtained requisite skills for self reliance • Capacity of local NGOs upgraded • Peace, stability, confidence building and reintegration and re-insertion would have been ensured
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Personnel 164,000 Monitoring and evaluation 5,000 Mission cost 10,000 Capacity building 25,000 Revolving funds 300,000 Premises 21,000 Training 6,000 Equipment 10,000 Operations and maintenance 20,000 Reporting costs 1,000 Sundries 2,000 Miscellaneous 1,000 TOTAL 565,000
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F. EDUCATION AND YOUTH AND PEACE
Situation Analysis More than 50% of the sub-region’s population is under the age of 25 years. Up to 60% of these do not have access to basic education, and about 70% are unemployed. As a result, children and youth as young as 10 years and as old as 25 years have been, or are increasingly at risk of being, recruited to prosecute wars within and between countries in the region. In the absence of education and employment opportunities to rebuild their lives, a substantial number of former child soldiers could be embroiled once more in armed conflict. Recent events in the Côte d'Ivoire point to the likelihood of the phenomenon re-appearing there, unless urgent steps are taken to provide youth with legitimate training and remunerative alternatives. The ease of recruitment from one country to the other, combined with the proliferation of small arms in the region, makes cross-border incursions and banditry a common feature in the sub-region. As a result, this sizeable youth population, which represents the sub-region’s future, remains a threat to themselves and to regional peace and security.
The current prospects for vocational education and employment in the sub-region are, however, bleak. Destructive conflicts, an unfavourable economic climate and negligible social sector investment, have resulted in a school system bereft of classrooms, textbooks, instructional and reading materials as well as trained teachers. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, up to 70% of primary and secondary schools were damaged during conflict, and Guinea has recently suffered a damage to its education infrastructure in the conflict-affected areas. Outdated curricula reflect a strong gender bias and lack content for the learning of life-skills. Girls have a much lower enrolment rate and are increasingly at risk of sexual abuse, teenage pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Additionally, many out-of- school youth manifest hopelessness, despair and a susceptibility to destructiveness.
In the rural areas, armed conflicts and massive population movements have disrupted normal education programming. Consequently a high proportion of overage children, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone, have missed three to four years of instruction. The situation in Guinea, where both residents and refugees are being displaced, also requires urgent attention and monitoring to reduce the impact on the education programme for the school-going age group.
An additional challenge is the lack of secure access to many children of school-going age. In Sierra Leone, instability reigns in more than half the country, while in Liberia, counties are difficult to access due to insecurity. In Guinea, agencies have lost secure access to at least 20% of the country. Where populations have temporarily relocated to safer zones, assistance must be provided to ensure continuity.
Competencies and Capacities The pressures of war and economic decline have diminished the capacity of the respective governments to respond to challenges in this sector. More will therefore need to be done to strengthen their capacity for enhanced planning, management and provision of logistical support. Proposed interventions will take advantage of the existing and expected resources within UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP/UNOPS, UNHCR, FAO and WFP, as well as religious organisations, international organisations, international and national NGOs.
Priorities Providing learning and employment opportunities for children and youth is a key cost-effective way of rescuing them from warlords, of re-channelling their energies to productive social and developmental activities. Based on the current and expected competencies and capacities and the sub-regional strategy, support to the sector within the framework of this appeal will focus on:
1. Revitalising the education sector through rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools in high- risk and conflict-affected communities hosting large IDP and refugee or returnee populations. 2. Providing teaching, learning, recreational materials and school feeding to ensure increased access to good quality basic education. 3. Establishing reorientation and accelerated learning programmes for over-age children not already being assisted in existing programmes. 4. Providing alternative programmes for children who lack access to formal primary schools. 5. Strengthening the managerial and supervisory capacity of the relevant Ministries.
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6. Supporting efforts by NGOs and bilateral organisations in the provision of vocational skills training, trauma healing, peace building and reconciliation activities, human rights programming, and reproductive health education for youth. 7. Undertaking income-generation activities in favour of youths.
Strategy An integrated approach to interventions in this sector will be applied, to achieve added value and cost- effectiveness. This will be done through building partnerships with all stakeholders and increasing the flow of information, consultation and integrated planning within and between the countries. Recognising that education and employment are ultimately the responsibility of the host country, priority will be given to strengthening the capacity of the relevant governments and civil society agents to initiate, manage and sustain post-emergency programmes. A strong training component will be included in all activities. Efforts will be made to harmonise approaches across the countries, particularly in the educational and training programmes provided for mobile populations, to ensure consistency when they cross borders as refugees or repatriates.
To the extent possible, efforts will be made to identify and apply lessons learned from the experiences in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Operational Objectives 1. Increased access to primary education for vulnerable children in the sub-region 2. Reduced gender disparity in learning achievements and enrolment 3. Enhanced sustainability of schools and community pre-school activities in favour of all host communities, IDPs, refugees and returnees 4. Improved attitudes, practices and skills of adolescents and youth in areas of peace building, human rights and economic survival 5. Improved employment prospects of disadvantaged youth 6. Increased self-employment of youth, through income-generation activities and micro-enterprise development
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GUINEA
Appealing Agencies UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND / UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGNIZATION Project Title Emergency Education Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N21A-B Sector Education Themes IDPs, Refugees and Host Communities Objectives To ensure that school age children in vulnerable populations have access to basic education through the establishment of a safe learning environment and the provision of education materials. Targeted Beneficiaries UNICEF: 30,000 children from host communities, IDPs and refugees in Kissidougou, Forecariah and Kindia.
UNESCO: 60,000 children from host communities, IDPs and refugees in the regions of Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Guekedou, Macenta and Nzerekore Partners Ministry of Education, UNHCR, WFP, Aides et Action, IRC, Plan Guinea, SOS Jeunes d’Afrique Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 2,400,000
SUMMARY The average literacy rate in Guinea is 56%. However, as a result of conflicts rates along the border regions of Liberia and Sierra Leone are even significantly lower. Fighting since September of last year has resulted in mass displacement along these border regions and the education system is now in ruins.
Reports indicate that 58 schools have been destroyed in this conflict zone. Schools are being turned into temporary shelters and teachers have had to flee fighting and become part of the displaced. Many schools lack basic materials and are unable to cope with the influx of refugees and IDPs. Large numbers of children are therefore without access to any education, in addition to being denied other basic rights. In sum, the insecurity has devastated the education system in this part of Guinea. Despite the presence of UNHCR and other partners, the situation for emergency education is still critical. If this project is not implemented, UNICEF and UNESCO fear that many of these children will fall into dangerous activities, will be recruited as child soldiers, and the delinquency rate will increase.
Under this project, the main objective for UNICEF and UNESCO is to ensure that school age children have access to basic education through the establishment of a safe learning environment. Specifically, UNICEF will aid 30,000 children from host communities, IDPs and refugees in Kissidougou, Forecariah and Kindia. Meanwhile, UNESCO will assist 60,000 children from host communities, IDPs and refugees in the regions of Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore. In addition, UNICEF and UNESCO will work in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, UNHCR, WFP, Aides et Action, IRC, Plan Guinea and SOS Jeunes d’Afrique to ensure that the needs of all beneficiaries are met.
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Outputs
UNICEF
• 30,000 displaced, refugee and host population children reinstalled in schools in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou • 30,000 children in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou having access to water and sanitation systems • Provision of educational kits for 30,000 children in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou • 30,000 socially, psychologically and physically healthier children in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou • 3,000 pre-school children who have received early childhood development care in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou • 30,000 children and 600 teachers educated on the Convention of the Rights of the Child in the targeted areas • A coordinated and managed response to the educational emergency with the support of two specialists
UNESCO • The installation and/or rehabilitation of 1,200 classrooms (including equipment) in Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Guekedou, Macenta and Nzerekore • Training kits for 1,200 teachers in Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Guekedou, Macenta and Nzerekore • 1,200 teachers updated on basic education teaching skills • 300 teachers trained on how to educate in emergency situations especially for IDPs • The production and distribution of text books for 60,000 children in Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Guekedou, Macenta and Nzerekore • A coordinated and managed response to the educational emergency with the support of two specialists (one international and one national)
Activities
UNICEF • Repair and install drinking water and sanitation systems within 30 primary schools in Kissidougou, Forecariah and Kindia • Provide 30,000 educational kits to children in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou • Provide socio-psychological support to 30,000 children in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou. • Provide recreational activities and supplies to 30,000 children in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou • Provide early childhood development education to 100 teachers to assist 3,000 pre-school children in the same areas • Educate 30,000 children and 600 teachers on the Convention of the Rights of the Child in the targeted areas • Monitor and supervise the coordination and operational activities to ensure that all beneficiaries are reached • Write monthly reports on the situation of education in the affected regions • Collaborate with and support other UN agencies, NGOs and local authorities working in the educational sector in these regions
UNESCO • Install 1,200 classrooms for primary age children in the regions of Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore. • Supply textbooks to 60,000 children in Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore. • Update 1,200 teachers on their knowledge of basic education in Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore • Train 1,200 teachers in the culture of peace Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore
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• Train 300 teachers on how to educate in emergency situations especially for IDPs • Provide education for a culture of peace to 60,000 children in the same areas • Write monthly reports on the situation of education in the affected regions • Collaborate with and support other UN agencies, NGOs and local authorities working in the educational sector in these regions
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNICEF) Budget Items US$ Minor repairs for 30 primary schools in Kissidougou, Forecariah and Kindia, including 340,000 drinking water and sanitation systems. Provision of 30,000 educational kits to children in Kindia, Forecariah, and Kissidougou. 300,000 Provision of socio-psychological support to 30,000 children in Kindia, Forecariah, and 80,000 Kissidougou. Provision of recreational activities and supplies to 30,000 children in Kindia, Forecariah, 100,000 and Kissidougou. Provision of early childhood development education to 100 teachers to assist 3,000 pre- 30,000 school children in the same areas. Educate 30,000 children and 600 teachers on the Convention of the Rights of the Child in 50,000 the targeted areas. Technical Assistance from 2 international professionals 300,000 Direct Support Costs 40,000 Indirect Programme Support 60,000 Sub Total for UNICEF 1,300,000
FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNESCO) Budget Items US$ Install 1,200 classrooms for primary age children in the regions of Kissidougou, Forecariah, 340,000 Kindia, Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore. Supply textbooks to 60,000 children in Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Gueckedou, 300,000 Macenta and Nzerekore. Update 1,200 teachers on their knowledge of basic education in Kissidougou, Forecariah, 100,000 Kindia, Gueckedou, Macenta and Nzerekore. Train 1,200 teachers in the culture of peace Kissidougou, Forecariah, Kindia, Gueckedou, 30,000 Macenta and Nzerekore. Provide education for a culture of peace to 60,000 children in the same areas. 50,000 Train 300 teachers on how to educate in emergency situations especially for IDPs. 40,000 Technical Assistance (1 international professional) 150,000 Direct Support Costs 30,000 Indirect Programme Support 60,000 Sub Total for UNESCO 1,100,000
TOTAL FOR BOTH UNICEF AND UNESCO 2,400,000
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Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION Project Title Women and a Culture of Peace Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N22 Sector Capacity Building and Peace Building Themes IDPs, Refugees and Host Populations Objective Give support to the Guinean Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians and NGOs for the sensitisation of targeted women on the necessity to cultivate a culture of peace Targeted Beneficiaries Approximately 400,000 women from IDP, Refugee and Host Communities in the regions of Gueckedou, Kissidougou, Forecariah, Macenta, Kindia, and Nzerekoré Partners Reseau Guineen des Femmes Africaines Ministres et Parlimentaires (REFAMP/G) and other NGOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 190,000
SUMMARY As the conflict in Guinea worsens, it is becoming increasingly clear that peace building mechanisms and measures are necessary. Many of the refugees and displaced are women. The weight of their presence in host communities has created social and economic problems for the female Guinean host communities. There are currently some NGOs working to build peace among women in the affected regions but funds are limited. If this project cannot be implemented, UNESCO fears that more problems will arise if the situation worsens.
Under this project, UNESCO will support the Guinean Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians and NGOs for the sensitisation of female IDPs, refugees and host communities in the affected regions on the necessity to cultivate a culture of peace. The project will target approximately 400,000 women in the regions of Gueckedou, Kissidougou, Forecariah, Macenta, Kindia, and Nzerekoré. UNESCO will also work in collaboration with UNHCR to ensure proper coordination.
Outputs • A large group of women from the IDP, refugee and host populations sensitised on the necessity to cultivate a culture of peace • A more peaceful environment for all inhabitants in the affected regions
Activities • Prepare and supply didactic material to NGOs • Undertake approximately 10 missions to the affected areas to train NGOs on how to organise campaigns cultivating a culture of peace • Present monthly reports on project activities and distribute to NGOs and partners
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Support to local women’s NGOs for the organisation of campaigns to sensitise and inform 100,000 the population, especially women Training of trainers for the campaign 50,000 Equipment and stationery for the organisation of the campaign 20,000 Administrative support 20,000 TOTAL 190,000
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Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION Project Title Assistance to Community Media (written press and television) Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N23 Sector Capacity Building and Peace Building Themes Refugees, IDPs and Host Populations Objective Diffusion of information in national languages to promote peaceful cohabitation and respect of human rights in localities affected by conflict Targeted Beneficiaries Refugees, displaced and host populations in Forecariah, Faranah, Gueckedou, Macenta, Kindia, Kissidougou, Kankan, Nzerekore, Mamou, Pita and Labé. Partners Ministry of Communications, UNHCR and NGOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 300,000
SUMMARY As the conflict in the region continues, the people of the Republic of Guinea are finding it difficult to accept hosting more than 250,000 refugees and approximately 150,000 displaced persons. Tensions are rising and if projects that promote peace are not implemented, UNESCO and other humanitarian organisations fear that Guinea will face increased instability.
Therefore, the main objective of this project is to diffuse information in national languages, which promote peaceful cohabitation and respect of human rights in localities affected by conflict. Under this project, the main beneficiaries will be those refugees, displaced and host populations in the regions of Forecariah, Faranah, Gueckedou, Macenta, Kindia, Kissidougou, Kankan, Nzerekore, Mamou, Pita and Labé. The project will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Communications, UNHCR and other partners in the field.
Outputs • A more peaceful cohabitation among the refugees, displaced and host populations through better understanding and acceptance • 30 journalists trained in how to promote a culture of peace • Radio and television specials focusing on culture of peace and human rights’ subjects • Monthly reports on the development of the project
Activities • Sensitise the Guinean population to the notion of assisting refugees and displaced • Train press, radio (especially rural radio stations) and television journalists • Create publicity materials, reflecting culture of peace subjects, and use in the various information mediums • Advise journalists on themes and products that reflect a culture of peace and human rights • Write monthly reports analysing the development of the project
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Training for journalists (written press, radio and television) 150,000 Support to production 55,000 Technical assistance 75,000 Administration costs 20,000 TOTAL 300,000
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LIBERIA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Support to Emergency Education Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N24 Sector Education Targeted Beneficiaries 20,000 school age children and youth Collaborating Agencies Liberia Repatriation, Resettlement and Refugee Commission, Ministry of Education/WFP/UNDP/UNOPS Partners Ministry of Education/ Religious institutions Project Duration 12 Months Funds Requested US$ 455,000
Objective: Ensure access to basic education for children and youth affected by displacement and conflict. Youth involved in the conflict is a special focus.
SUMMARY In Liberia, access to education is severely constrained by limited physical facilities, shortage of trained professional teachers and school materials. A total of 2,471 primary schools have re-opened, representing slightly above 50% of schools before the war. At least 20,000 children, who were not able to continue their education during the war, are now too old to follow a regular primary school programme. The situation is compounded by the current friction along the Liberian - Guinean border, which has the potential to cause a new wave of displacement. This project has three key components:
• Emergency access to education for school-age children displaced due to conflict • Support to schools in host communities to enhance their absorption capacity • Support to over-age children and youth through an accelerated learning programme
This project has been conceived as a mechanism to provide emergency catch-up schooling for illiterate and over-age children, and also to accommodate those children whose regular schooling has been disrupted by renewed conflict. The project will also seek to strengthen capacity of existing schools in host communities to enable them to absorb newcomers.
Strategies/Activities • Provision of basic emergency “School in a box” kits in collaboration with WFP's school feeding programme for displaced children and host communities • Provision of basic in-service training to teachers identified among the displaced population - where integration within the host community is precluded • Support to schools within host community through the provision of basic educational supplies • The 'accelerated learning' component for youth compresses the six years of the regular primary school programme into three years thus enabling children to reach their age-appropriate grades within a time frame not exceeding three years. Each level in the project combines two grades. This accelerated progression is made possible through a compressed curriculum, which focuses on skill development rather than content coverage; individualised and pupil-centred teaching methods made possible by a teacher–student ratio of not more than 1:30. The project is implemented through NGOs, church schools and through the public system. The Ministry of Education plays a supervisory and coordinating role. WFP supports the project within the context of its school- feeding programme
Expected Outcomes • Emergency educational supplies for 20,000 school-age children • Basic in-service orientation for teachers • Training of 120 primary school teachers in the Accelerated Learning Project with special emphasis on recruiting equal number of male and female teachers in the areas most affected by population movements. • 1,500 students enrolled in project with the opportunity to catch up and graduate into the mainstream schools when the situation allows or achieve basic primary certification through the ALP system.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Technical assistance 85,000 Operational costs 90,000 Supplies and equipment 168,000 Training and capacity building 90,000 Indirect programme support 22,000 TOTAL 455,000
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SIERRA LEONE
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Emergency Education Project Code WA/SIL-01-1/N25 Sector Education Themes Education, IDPs Objective Ensure access to education for 15,000 children aged 6 - 14 years in IDP camps, host communities with high numbers of IDPs, and areas of origin for returning refugees and IDPs. Targeted Beneficiaries 15,000 Children In IDP Camps Or Host Communities (Total & Description) Partners MYES, NCRRR, NGOs, CBOs Project Duration One Year Funds Requested US$ 781,650
SUMMARY Following developments in Guinea, UNICEF has collaborated closely with UNHCR, NCRRR, WFP and the Government of Sierra Leone to meet the educational needs of the children of repatriated Sierra Leone refugees and displaced persons moving to safer communities, in particular, the Lungi Peninsula and the Western Area. As the population of returnees continues to grow on the Lungi Peninsula, the need for additional educational support, which is not provided for in the current Sierra Leone CAP, has emerged. The approach of absorbing returning refugees into host communities until their areas of origin are safe is being explored in other areas of Sierra Leone. However, IDP camps will continue to be the only option for many returnees. If the areas of origin become accessible, following renewed contacts with the RUF, it will be important to re-establish education services as soon as possible.
In order to enable primary schools in host communities of returning refugees and communities in areas of origin to cope with the influx of school-age children, UNICEF aims to improve educational access to meet the needs of 15,000 children aged 6 - 14 years on the Lungi Peninsula and in other areas to be identified. Support will be provided for rehabilitation of schools and supply of school furniture as well as teaching, learning and recreational materials.
UNICEF will also provide educational facilities for two camps, each with an estimated population of 2,500 children aged 6-14 years, through the Rapid Response Education Programme designed to facilitate the entry or re-entry of children into the formal primary school system. The capacity of District Education Offices to coordinate, supervise and monitor will be strengthened through support for supplies, equipment and stationery.
Main Activities/ Inputs Support for host community schools Based on experience in the Lungi Peninsula, the average number of children in each host school will be 400 of which up to 40% will be returning refugees or IDPs. Thus the estimated project inputs will be:
• 25 schools rehabilitated • 2,500 desk/bench sets • Teaching/learning materials for 10,000 children • Equipment, stationery and training for 2 district education offices • Support to after-school recreation and youth activities
Rapid Response Education Programme in Camps To support implementation of the Rapid Response Education Programme to assist 5,000 children in IDP camps, the following inputs will be required:
• 125 plastic sheet material and accessories for temporary shelter • 125 teaching/learning kits provided • 1250 planks (wooden boards) for improvised desks + accessories • Equipment, stationery and training for 2 district education offices • Support to after-school recreation and youth activities
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Budget Items US$ Support for host community schools Re-habilitation of 25 schools 375,000 Procurement and distribution of 2,500 desk/bench sets 62,500 Teaching/learning materials for 25 schools (10,000 children) 50,000 Equipment and stationery for 2 district education offices 10,000 After-school Recreation and Youth Activities 20,000 Sub-Total 517,500 Rapid Response Education Programme in camps Training of 125 teachers 12,500 Provision of 125 T/L kits 31,250 125 plastic sheet material and accessories for temporary shelter 37,500 1250 planks (wooden boards) for improvised desks + accessories 25,000 2 district education offices equipped and officers trained 15,000 After-school Recreation and Youth Activities 10,000 Sub-Total 131,250 Field Office Direct Operating costs 95,675 HQ Indirect Programme Support 37,225 TOTAL (additional) 781,650 GRAND TOTAL (including request in SL Country CA) 3,189,650
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G. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Situation Analysis Poverty, civil strife and environmental degradation are inextricably linked. Distressed communities tend to encroach on and destroy their physical environment in pursuit of survival. This process is accentuated during periods of mass movement of people. Significant influx of refugees, returnees and IDPs accelerate land degradation, deforestation and pollution. The clearing of land for camp construction and the cutting of trees for firewood and shelter materials has led to deforestation and associated destruction of biodiversity in all the countries. The strain on already limited local water and environmental sanitation facilities has resulted in pollution, which in turn causes many health problems, such as diarrhoea and malaria.
In Guinea for instance, the sudden internal displacement of more than 200,000 people and their concentration in safer locations adds to the strain on an environment already burdened by the presence of refugees. The continuing displacement of Liberians in the Lofa and Nimba counties due to violent border incursions has damaged the environment. In Sierra Leone, an already critical environmental situation is worsened by the return of thousands of Sierra Leonean exiles from Guinea. They require temporary shelter in already overcrowded communities. Tension will grow between host communities and their guests over land, water and other natural resource use, unless innovative environmental regeneration projects are funded.
Priorities The main priority, therefore, is to reduce tension between local communities and their guests over land and other natural resource use. Initiatives will emphasise environmental education and the promotion of sustainable use of the environment in all affected areas. Women and children will be given special attention first, as they are often the most adversely affected by environmental degradation and secondly because they are potentially the best environmental managers.
Competencies and capacities UNHCR already supports environmental regeneration activities in the region, such as reforestation, the introduction of eco-stoves, and the promotion of environmental education in the refugee camps. UNDP has significant experience in the area of sustainable management and utilisation of the environment. FAO and WFP also have particular interest and competence in the area of environment, particularly as it relates to food and agriculture. There are a number of international and national NGOs with expertise in the field who will act as implementing partners. In addition to implementing specific environment projects, presented in this document, good environmental management as a theme will run through all programme activities.
Strategy Efforts will be made to ensure that shelter initiatives are environmentally benign. Reforestation measures will be pursued vigorously, as well as the use of environmentally friendly technologies such as ‘eco-stoves’ for cooking. A community-based strategy will be adopted which treats all the stakeholders - returnees, refugees, IDPs and their hosts - communities as an integrated unit. UN Environment Theme Groups, where they exist as in Liberia, will be used for coordination of proposed interventions, and new structures will be developed in countries where they do not exist.
Operational objectives 1. Increased knowledge of environmental problems and their appropriate solutions 2. Sustainable management and judicious use of the local resources 3. Environmental protection while exploiting its resources for community use 4. Women and children as environmental managers
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GUINEA
Appealing Agencies UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME and FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION Project Title Rehabilitation of the Environment in Refugee/IDP-hosting Areas Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N26 Sector Environmental Protection Themes Refugees/IDP-hosting Regions; Protection Objective To prevent or reduce the risk of desertification in refugee -hosting areas. Targeted Beneficiaries Populations in the districts and sub-prefectures hosting refugee camps (Forécariah, Kissidougou, Macenta et N’Zérékoré). Partners Direction Nationale des Forêts et chasse, Direction Prefectoral du Development Rural et de L’Environment, national and international NGO’s. Project Duration March 2001 – February 2002 Funds Requested US$ 800,000
SUMMARY Over the past decade many Liberians and Sierra Leoneans have been forced to flee their villages and hundreds of thousands of them have found refuge in the border areas in Guinea. Now the population of some urban centres has more than doubled in less than 3 years, which is putting a heavy strain on the environment.
High population densities in Forestial Guinea, due to the refugee influx, have been putting great pressure on natural resources. The ongoing need for arable land and the current deforestation rate in Forestial Guinea have changed the landscape over the last few years with a loss in biodiversity of indigenous plant and animal species. If this continues, UNDP and FAO fear complete desertification of this region.
Initiatives carried out so far by government authorities, NGOs, UNHCR and other organisations (The World Bank, USAID, GTZ, EU and IUCN) to address environmental degradation in refugee-hosting areas have fallen short of the needs. In addition, the coordination of such initiatives needs to improve.
Therefore, UNDP in collaboration with FAO and relevant NGO’s will work to prevent or reduce the risks of desertification in the refugee hosting areas of Forecariah, Kissidougou, Macenta and Nzerekore. UNDP and FAO will oversee the planting of 2000 seedlings per hectare and 250 hectares per prefecture. In addition, UNDP and FAO will work with UNHCR to mobilise refugees to help in the replanting and maintenance process.
Output • 2,000,000 seedlings of species that are of value to local communities • 10,000 households using eco-stoves • Reforestation of 1,000 hectares • An healthy environment for more than 400,000 refugees, IDPs and host populations • 60,000 people sensitised on environment protection measures through the training and distribution of 10,000 eco-stoves
Activities • Launch a drive to produce 2,000,000 seedlings • Furnish 10,000 eco-stoves in areas affected by refugee or IDP influx. • Sensitising the populations on the use and manufacture of environmentally-friendly stoves • Under the technical supervision of FAO, sign contracts and coordinate with relevant NGO’s and partners
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ 50,000 Staff (supervision and sensitisation) 500,000 Labour intensive production of species with value to local communities (US$ 0.25 per 50,000 seedling) Purchase of eco-stoves 50,000 Training on manufacturing of eco-stoves 50,000 Equipment 50,000 Maintenance and operation 50,000 TOTAL 800,000
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H. FOOD ASSISTANCE
Situation Analysis The food security situation in the Sub-Region comprising Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia has been rapidly deteriorating due to the combined effects of insecurity, internal displacement, regional instability and insufficient agricultural activity. In Guinea, host to some 420,000 refugees mostly from Sierra Leone, cross-border attacks launched by assailants from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia since September 2000 have led to mass displacement of refugees as well as Guineans inside the country. Attacks in Gueckedou in early December 2000, which forced more than 94,000 people to flee (some Guineans, but mostly Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees), and renewed fighting in mid January 2001 have further aggravated the situation.
The displacement of refugees and Guineans to safer areas has put considerable strain on the food security and the coping mechanisms of the population concerned. While Guineans, mostly farmers, had to leave behind their agricultural assets, also the newly displaced refugees lost their coping mechanisms they had developed over time in a relatively stable situation. Moreover, due to the fighting and insecurity, provision of regular food assistance has been impossible. As and when cut-off areas become again accessible, it is expected that the population will face high malnutrition rates.
To strengthen coping mechanisms and improve food security particularly of newly displaced refugees including the ones who have been relocated in new camps, emergency food aid with enhanced rations at a level of 2100 kcal will be required during an initial period. After that and as soon as the situation of the refugees stabilises, food rations at a reduced level will have to be provided. At the same time, there will be increasing need for social and infrastructural rehabilitation programmes for settlement of refugees that have returned to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
In order to adequately respond to the current crisis WFP has initiated a budget revision of its regional PRRO to cover additional caseloads of beneficiaries and to provide enhanced rations to targeted beneficiaries. An additional 9,614 MTs will be required for this purpose. Furthermore, the budget of the current EMOP 6312 which was approved to cover the needs of some 50,000 IDPs in Guinea will be increased to accommodate an additional caseload of 100,000 IDPs. Both increases are presented in this Appeal. While the current allocation of food commodities under the PRRO at present levels of returnees to Liberia are deemed to be sufficient to cover their food needs, a separate EMOP might become necessary if there is a dramatic increase. Likewise, increased food needs for returnees to Sierra Leone are covered by the Sierra Leone CAP.
Priorities, Goals and Objectives The main priority is to ensure regular and adequate provision of relief food aid to IDPs and refugees who have suffered from recent displacement. Vulnerable groups will be specifically targeted. Special attention will be provided to involve women in the targeting process, distribution and food management. Monitoring of the nutrition status of the refugees and IDPs together with partners such as UNHCR, UNICEF and NGOs will be a priority in order to prevent detoriation in the nutritional and health status, detect needs for special response and facilitate targeting of food aid to the most needy.
Operational Objectives • Improve immediate household food security of the most vulnerable conflict-affected people (newly displaced refugees and IDPs) who have been cut off from any sources of food • Maintain and improve the nutritional status of groups identified as nutritionally at risk • Support conflict-affected people through resettlement programmes and rehabilitation schemes
Specific objectives are to: • Provide food assistance to refugees and IDPs vulnerable to food insecurity • Provide food for curative interventions (therapeutic feeding) • Provide food through safety nets (food-for-work and emergency school-feeding)
Strategy A general ration will be distributed to vulnerable refugees and IDPs. For refugees, the general ration will be distributed through UNHCR. For IDPs, it will be distributed through NGOs and ICRC. In addition to the provision of a general ration, food will be distributed as a curative interventions (therapeutic feeding) through nutritional NGOs. Food will also be distributed via safety nets such as food-for-work
105 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA and emergency school feeding through a wide range of NGOs and in collaboration with other UN agencies such as UNICEF. In food-for-work (specifically in agricultural infrastructure) WFP will be working very closely with agricultural NGOs. In education (emergency school-feeding), links and collaboration with UNICEF will be strengthened.
WFP‘s regional PRRO is a flexible tool. Whenever there is a problem of access in a specific location where distribution was planned, food will be used in another location or another country within the PRRO. Distribution will resume when the location becomes accessible again. WFP‘s food pipeline is used for the overall needs in the region and allocation is adapted to the circumstances.
Emergency situations affect men, women and children differently. Needs are not the same. WFP tries to adapt its programme according to the specific context and to special needs. In order to do so, analysis such as household food economy and other types of analysis are crucial. They will enable WFP to gain insight into the dynamics of a situation, how it affects men/women differently and how the distribution of food aid can be adapted to each situation.
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GUINEA
Appealing Agency WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME Project Title Food Assistance to Guinean Populations Displaced by Armed Conflicts in the Regions of Guékédou, Forecariah, Kindia, Kankan and Faranah Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N27 Sector Food Objective Provide emergency food assistance to 150 000 internally displaced Guineans, with special focus on vulnerable groups, in order to protect/save their lives by maintaining their health and assuring a good nutritional status. Programme Locations Upper Guinea (Kankan, Kérouané, Mandiana, Siguiri Faranah, Kouroussa, Dabola, Dinguiraye), Middle Guinea (Mamou), Forest Guinea (Kissidougou, Guékédou, Macenta, Nzérékoré) Partners CICR, Caritas/OCPH/CRS Project Duration Initial 3 months with possible extension Total Project Budget US$ 4,196,001 Estimated Funds Available US$ 1,450,482 Funds Requested US$ 2,745,519
SUMMARY As a result of heavy armed attacks at the Guinea border with Liberia and Sierra Leone since September 2000, a large number of the Guinean local population from Guékédou and Forecariah area were displaced within the country. Being mostly farmers they had to leave behind their agricultural assets and were exposed to high risks of food insecurity and malnutrition. In immediate response to the urgent food needs of the displaced Guineans WFP commenced distributing food borrowed from the ongoing regional operation PRRO 4604.07. An Emergency Operation EMOP 6312 was approved in November 2000 to provide food assistance to 50 000 IDPs for 90 days.
New attacks of the Forest Region’s capital Guékédou and Kissidougou beginning December provoked another massive movement of Guinean residents towards the north and southeast of the country. The census and targeting of displaced people carried out by WFP and ICRC in Upper, Lower and Forest Guinea since December 2000 finally revealed an approximate number of 150 000 locally displaced Guinean population, a figure three times higher than originally anticipated.
First nutritional surveys carried out by medical NGOs as well as records from the Therapeutic Nutrition Center at the Kankan Regional Hospital show an increased prevalence of acute and severe malnutrition among under-five children indicating a critical food security situation of the displaced local population which requires an immediate assistance. After a comparatively calm period of four weeks, incidents resumed in January 2001 in the Forest Region where the security situation remains very tense.
WFP has since been carrying out targeted food distribution activities to vulnerable groups of IDPs in the areas of Forecariah, Kindia, Faranah; Kissidougou, Kérouané, Kankan and Conakry. So far food assistance to 60 000 IDPs was provided while another 90 000 IDPs are estimated to stay in the areas mentioned as well as in Dinguiraye, Dabola, Kouroussa, Suiguiri and Mandiana.
Given the fact that food assistance originally approved under the EMOP GUI 6312 has become largely insufficient due to the increased number of local population displaced by military action, WFP has initiated a respective budget revision of the Emergency Operation.
Objective: Provide emergency food assistance (6,100 MTs) to 150 000 internally displaced Guineans for a period of three months, with special focus on vulnerable groups such as malnourished or unaccompanied children, female heads of household, elderly and handicapped people, large families without any support in order to protect and /or save their lives by assuring a good nutritional status and maintaining their health.
Activities
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• WFP and its partners will undertake the identification, census and targeting of beneficiaries especially taking into account vulnerable groups in Upper and Forest Guinea • WFP will receive the food at the port and transport the commodities from the capital to the external delivery points or the distribution sites according to the situation • WFP will give food assistance to vulnerable groups of IDPs in Upper, Lower and Forest Guinea in collaboration with partners Strategies In order to achieve its goal, WFP will use its logistical framework put in place for the PRRO and reinforce its capacity with the opening of three new sub-offices in Kindia, Kankan and Dabola and concomitant reinforcement of staff. A letter of understanding will be signed with the government and the implementing partners. Existing Food Aid Coordination for a will be complemented by thematic meetings on food security and logistic issues with participation of all partners involved, at local and central level.
A joint crop and food supply assessment mission in collaboration with FAO will be carried out to assess crops and harvest prospects in the areas chosen by displaced people as well as in the areas deserted in order to judge the availability of food in these zones. WFP will particularly evaluate the households’ access to food and their level of food deficit as well as the role the food assistance plays for the displaced people. Additionally, urgent needs regarding the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure will be determined. Conclusions will be drawn in terms of the displaced local people’s food security situation, also in view of a possible return to their places of origin.
A food aid committee including all agencies involved in food security was established with WFP being the focal point. The objective of the committee is to have a constant exchange with partners on all relevant issues concerning the Guinean displaced population and to assure adequate coordination of the field activities. A weekly coordination meeting organised by UNDP serves the same purpose but covering all aspects of the displaced population (water, sanitation, shelter, etc) and thus including all agencies involved.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Commodities (4,052 MTs) 1,261,200 External transport 615,904 ITSH 526,760 Direct support costs 143,000 Indirect support costs 198,655 TOTAL 2,745 519
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SUB-REGIONAL
Appealing Agency WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME Project Title Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation for Refugees 6271.00 – Targeted food assistance for relief and recovery of refugees, IDPs and returning refugees in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone Project Code WA-01-1/N28 Sector Food Theme Refugees Objective Enhance coping mechanisms and recovery potential of refugees and other vulnerable groups by ensuring their food security in critical periods. Targeted Beneficiaries Refugees/Returnees/IDPs in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone Partners Premiere Urgence, OCPH/CARITAS/CRS, MSF, ACF Project Duration January – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 6,553,977
SUMMARY Instability in the sub-region continues to threaten the food security situation of already vulnerable displaced populations. The attacks in Gueckedou, southeast Guinea in early December 2000, which forced more than 90,000 people to abandon (mostly Sierra Leone and Liberian refugees) their camps and settlements, and the renewed fighting in mid-January 2001, have worsened the general conditions of the refugees.
WFP’s main objective in this programme is to satisfy the basic nutrition and food needs of refugees who have been incapacitated by the conflicts in the sub-region. Its approved regional Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) for Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, originally programmed a general food distribution to 220,000 beneficiaries in Guinea at a ration scale of 1,552 kcal/day (overall caseload was 300,000, including therapeutic feeding, emergency school-feeding and food-for-work).
However, a joint UNHCR/WFP consultation (in collaboration with donors and NGOs) has shown that the food requirements have increased due to the dramatically changed circumstances of the refugees. The first conclusion is that 30,000 additional refugees are in need of food assistance, at a ration level of 2,100 kcal/day. The second conclusion is that, as coping mechanisms developed over the years by the part of the actual refugee caseload has been eroded, the ration should be increased from 1,550 kcal/day to 2,100 kcal/day for 100,000 of them who have again become fully dependent on food aid. This ration level will be maintained for at least one full agricultural season, until the beneficiaries are able to recover part of their coping mechanisms.
In light of these developments, WFP has initiated a budget revision for the PRRO to cover the additional food commodities (9,414 MTs) required to meet new needs and to enhance the ration level for the most vulnerable. The specific request under this appeal framework complements the approved request in the regional PRRO.
WFP‘s regional PRRO is a flexible tool. Whenever a problem of access arises in a specific location where distribution was planned, food will be used in another location or another country within the PRRO. Distribution will resume when the location becomes accessible again. WFP‘s food pipeline is used for the overall needs in the region and allocation is adapted to the circumstances.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Commodities (9,414 MTs) 2,397,550 External transport 1,430,776 ITSH 1,270,755 Direct support cost 980,675 Indirect support cost 474,221 TOTAL 6,553,977
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I. HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Situation Analysis Infant and child mortality rates in the sub-region are among the highest in the world – and are getting worse as a result of the deteriorating situation. One third of children born in the sub-region are likely to die of preventable diseases before the age of five years. Maternal mortality rates, particularly in Liberia and Sierra Leone are unacceptably high. EPI coverage rates are alarmingly low. Sierra Leone recorded a dramatic drop from 75% in the early nineties to 47% in 2000. In Liberia, coverage remains at 33%, with only 14% of pregnant women vaccinated against tetanus. The situation in Guinea is desperate as there have been recent outbreaks of the Yellow Fever epidemic. Since September 2000, Guinea has been battling the epidemic, which hit 20 districts and within four months, claimed 240 lives. Although many people have been vaccinated in high-risk areas, a lack of safe and regular access, and limited availability of the vaccine threaten control of the epidemic.
Health systems have been destroyed by war and suffer from a depletion of trained personnel. In Sierra Leone, only 277 out of 730 peripheral health units and 70% of the District hospitals are functioning. Liberia has only 42 trained traditional midwives, 120 physician assistants, 185 nurses and 135 registered Doctors. Only 40% of the country’s 230 health centres are functioning, while in Guinea, only 42% of the population have access to basic health care. Recent fighting there has led to the destruction of 11 health facilities. Insecurity in many parts of the sub-region has hampered the regular provision of urgently needed drugs and medical supplies to PHUs.
Very weak disease surveillance systems have led to late detection of outbreaks such as bloody diarrhoea, and consequently resulted in poor case management. In view of the extension of the conflict to Guinea and the resumption of dissident activities in some parts of Liberia, it is vital that the sub-region develops and maintains an effective epidemic surveillance capacity. Malaria and meningitis are also major threats of outbreaks.
Closely related to health problems is the poor nutritional status of children of host communities and their guests. A comprehensive survey has yet to be undertaken in the most vulnerable areas due to lack of sustained access. However, global acute malnutrition rates in areas surveyed, far exceed internationally accepted norms for emergency situations. In the accessible parts of Sierra Leone, relief agencies are providing therapeutic feeding for nearly 1,000 severely malnourished children. In Liberia, a recent survey by UNICEF indicates that 26% of children under- five years are underweight and 39% are stunted. Some 87% of children under-two experience iron deficiency anaemia and Vitamin A deficiency. The latter also affects women of childbearing age.
The extremely low access to clean water for human use sustains the high incidence of preventable disease causing increased morbidity and mortality throughout the sub-region. The massive displacement of populations has escalated the risk of communicable diseases in overcrowded refugee and IDP camps. Access to health care among the population, particularly along the border of the three countries, has diminished dramatically because of fighting, the destruction of health facilities, and lack of access for humanitarian actors.
Despite the difficult situations of these countries, the NIDs were synchronised this year in an attempt to reach every child under-five with polio vaccine and Vitamin A by negotiating and asking warring parties in the region to stop fighting during the NIDs.
Priorities Support will focus on ensuring the maintenance of a minimum package of primary health care and nutritional activities for displaced populations and their equally vulnerable host communities. These high priority groups include children under 5 and pregnant and lactating women. Adolescents will also be supported through education activities within their communities. Priorities therefore include:
• Support to basic health care systems particularly to deliver emergency health and nutritional care to vulnerable populations of refugees, IDPs and host communities in inaccessible areas • Early detection, rehabilitation, and prevention of malnutrition and nutrition deficiencies • Promotion of coordinated response to epidemics, including expanded vaccination programmes against vaccine-preventable diseases – particularly meningitis, measles, yellow fever and polio, sub-regionally
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• Prevention and early care of diarrhoeal diseases, malaria, acute respiratory infections and pneumonia, and STDs, including HIV/AIDS • Strengthening sub-regional epidemiological surveillance
Competencies and Capacities WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA are the leading UN agencies in the planning, monitoring and implementation of health activities. They work closely with other UN agencies, and will assist various Government Ministries of Health to build up their capacity to deliver emergency services in these areas, augmented by wide ranging programmes of the NGOs and the ICRC. WHO has strengthened its epidemiological surveillance capacity in Abidjan to survey, monitor and establish a systematic information network between the affected countries. It is also fielding emergency public health coordinators at sub-regional and field level. While country level plans in health and nutrition will be made, these will be coordinated at the regional level by the agencies, particularly for infectious or communicable diseases affecting populations that are crossing borders. UNFPA will focus particularly on reproductive health care for IDPs and host communities. UNICEF will support the primary health care and peripheral health systems. The global MOUs between WFP and UNHCR and WFP and UNICEF will define their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to nutritional interventions.
Strategy • Ensure presence and operational capacity at sub-regional and country levels • Strengthen the sub-regional epidemiological surveillance - with a focus on communicable and vaccine-preventable diseases - through improved planning, supervision, emergency capacity development and training of personnel • Advocacy with relevant authorities for the creation of humanitarian space with security and access to deliver basic services for all those in need • Support to micro-planning and training activities will be instrumental to expand the coverage and quality of services delivered in basic health units by health workers, to address routine vaccination and management of disease and malnutrition • Special training activities will prepare children to contribute to the health of their communities, firstly focusing on their own health, in line with the principles of life-skills education provided by UNICEF and UNESCO. In particular, adolescents will be trained through peer education and participatory methods of learning • Awareness and motivation programmes for actions related to primary health care will be broadcast through mass media, especially short wave radio, which has the widest population coverage in the sub-region
Operational Objectives 1. Reduction in avoidable loss of life, the burden of disease and disability in emergencies through strengthening cross border epidemiological surveillance and timely exchange of information on health situations in the sub-region 2. Strengthen capacity of local health facilities to provide appropriate health care through the provision of basic medical equipment and essential drugs and supplies to health centres in affected areas 3. Reduce risk of maternal and child deaths, malnutrition and disabilities among refugees, returnees, IDPs and war-affected communities through the provision of essential drugs and the coordination of immunisation campaigns 4. Enhanced preparedness and response capacity in the region through capacity building and stockpiling of essential drugs and vaccines in key areas 5. Coordinated response of international, regional and national actors to improve public health management and accountability and reduce inequalities in access to health services 6. Effective and efficient health information systems and case management "sans frontieres" on communicable diseases , on other health priorities such as reproductive health and malnutrition 7. Build on the current programmes such as national immunisation days to encourage countries to work jointly to control major health problems across borders; Empower youths through awareness campaigns and skills training to avoid early pregnancies, substance abuse and common diseases, particularly sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS 8. Increased awareness of the population at large of prevalent health problems and preventive measures
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GUINEA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Health and Nutrition Assistance Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N29 Sector Health and Nutrition Objectives To prevent outbreaks of preventable communicable disease (especially diarrhoea, cholera, meningitis and measles) among 2,000,000 children through provision of essential drugs and the coordination of immunisation campaigns; To support emergency primary health care for vulnerable groups in Guinea Partners Ministry of Public Health, WHO, UNFPA, UNHCR, WFP, IRC; Save the children, ARC, Médecins Sans Frontières Project Duration January - December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 1,760,000
SUMMARY Access to basic health care and minimal food is limited for the majority of children. This resulted in the increase in avoidable diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections. Malnutrition has increased sharply, particularly among children. MSF has reported they are currently treating up to 200 people a day for malnutrition. In Massakoundou camp, for example, a recent assessment revealed that 15% of the population was malnourished. Global acute malnutrition rates in accessible areas are already reported above acceptable levels. In inaccessible areas, it is expected that malnutrition rates will be far higher for all vulnerable populations (refugees, IDPs and host communities).
This situation has been complicated by a Yellow Fever epidemic and possible outbreak of measles and meningitis epidemics. The yellow fever, which started in Mamou (Moyenne Guinée) is slowly extending to neighbouring areas.
Strategies - Activities Health care will be provided to all communities in affected areas. In refugee camps, UNICEF will support NGOs in charge of health posts with provision of essential drugs. For IDPs and host communities, UNICEF will support existing fixed health centres as well as mobile teams through provision of essentials drugs, basic equipment; some logistics means (essentially for mobile teams). The health system operates on a cost recovery system. Due to lack of financial resources, a majority of the IDPs and host communities lack funds to access health facilities. UNICEF and WHO have advocated and agreed with the MoH that the cost recovery system in the affected zones will be frozen free access to minimal health care (malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, deliveries, basic health care). Immunisation campaigns (DTP, Measles, and YF) will be key priority in the first phase together with Vitamin A supplementation. Activities will be conducted with UNFPA. Specifically, the project will:
• strengthen the capacity of Ministry of Health services to routinely generate emergency health and nutrition information and mobilise necessary political support to respond to needs; • strengthen national and district level management capacity in planning, implementing and monitoring emergency health and nutrition response; • ensure coordination of emergency health service delivery.
The nutritional status of children between 0-3 years will be evaluated and adequate micronutrients and other nutritional supplements will be provided to vulnerable groups (malnourished children, unaccompanied children, and pregnant women). UNICEF will deploy an emergency nutritionist to support the coordination of the nutrition sector, contribute to agreeing methodologies for information collection, monitoring and nutritional surveys – activities which UNICEF will provide technical and material support. The global MOUs between WFP and UNHCR and WFP and UNICEF will define roles and responsibilities, especially in relation to nutritional feeding programmes and collaboration with NGOs.
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An intensive integrated IEC Campaign on Water, Sanitation, Nutrition; ORS, vaccination, and STD/HIV prevention will be developed and implemented through the Radio rural with which UNICEF has an agreement in collaboration with several NGOs which are currently in the selected areas.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Provision of vaccine material and implementation of measles campaigns for 2,000,000 children from 6 to 15 years 700,000 Distribution emergency health kits, essential drugs and additional vaccines for IDPs, host communities and refugees 300,000 Provision of material & technical support for coordination of nutrition (surveys, data 180,000 collection etc) – and therapeutic food (milk/biscuits)/micronutrients. Massive IEC campaign disseminating basic hygiene and health education information in 300,000 camps and host communities through radio and other media Support for fixed and mobile teams providing health and nutrition surveillance, monitoring 50,000 BP5 Donation in kind Technical assistance, operational support, implementation and security 146,000 Indirect programme support 84,000 TOTAL 1,760,000
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Appealing Agency WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Project Title Emergency and Humanitarian Health Coordination Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N30 Sector Health Theme Refugees, Coordination Objectives To provide technical assistance and support to MoH and NGO dealing with the refugees, IDPs and affected population To improve coordination of all health related matters Targeted Beneficiaries Refugees, IDPs and affected population Implementing Partner WHO Project Duration March - December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 431,420
SUMMARY Guinea hosts around 420,000 refugees. A further 150,000 Guineans have been internally displaced. WHO coordinates health emergency issues such as epidemics, health projects for refugees and war- affected communities, and supports the MoH and NGOs for regular public health programmes. Health interventions are funded through poliomyelitis eradication and other programmes where possible, thus stretching the existing resources to the limits. In order to strengthen public health activities for the refugees and to avoid a heavy burden on the regular WHO activities, there is a need for both a national and an international focal point to coordinate emergency health activities.
Through the following activities WHO aims to strengthen the provision of health care to the refugees and to the displaced population, as well as provide technical support to the MoH to strengthen and improve health service delivery and the quality of care to the local population living around the refugee camps in a sustainable manner.
Activities under this project include:
• Recruitment of an international and a national focal persons for emergency and humanitarian health action; • Provision of technical assistance to the MoH and the health partners; • Support to coordination of health care delivery activities; • Support to outreach activities for disease surveillance, prevention and control. • Liaison with the sub-regional coordinator for West Africa and the focal points from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Technical support : International Focal Point 200,000 National Focal Point 40,000 Capacity strengthening activities 80,000 Logistic support 50,000 Monitoring and evaluation 37,000 Subtotal 407,000 Programme support cost (6%) 24,420 TOTAL 431,420
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Appealing Agency WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Project Title Epidemic Preparedness and Response Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N31 Sector Health Themes Preparedness, Response , IDPs, Capacity Building Objectives To strengthen epidemic preparedness, especially disease surveillance and provision of emergency drugs, vaccines and supplies to refugees, IDPs and surrounding communities To improve epidemic response, especially toward rapid control of yellow fever Targeted Beneficiaries IDPs and affected population Partners MoH, NGOs (national and international), UNHCR Project Duration March - December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 1,166,000
SUMMARY The main health problems in Guinea remain endemic communicable diseases. The chaotic and unstable situation with the presence of refugees and IDPs complicates outbreak prevention and control. The situation is worsened by a weakened health care system and by the difficulty in maintaining a good surveillance system. Guinea has seen in the past years a recrudescence of endemic diseases such as malaria, ARI, diarrheoal diseases along with outbreaks of measles and more recently yellow fever. The current yellow fever epidemic has already affected 20 districts, more than 700 persons and has caused some 240 deaths. Furthermore, an estimated population of one million is still at risk and there is a potential of extension to neighbouring countries. With large population movements, it is feared that cholera and meningitis would also start.
There is a need to strengthen the surveillance system and epidemic management. WHO, with its partners the MoH, and NGOS, will provide support for strengthening the system, improving preparedness, response and management of outbreaks, including training district and provincial health personnel.
Activities • Strengthening the diagnostic capacities of the health units in IDP and refugee camps, as well as in affected districts • Building capacity for disease surveillance, data collection mechanisms • Strengthening reporting mechanisms, analysis and dissemination of information • Providing a stock of essential drugs for treatment of diseases of epidemic potential, vaccines and supplies
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Diagnostic equipment and supplies 100,000 Training on surveillance and case management 50,000 Communication equipment 50,000 Drugs and vaccines to prepare/respond to epidemic 800,000 Coordination, monitoring and evaluation 100,000 Subtotal 1,100,000 Programme support costs 66,000 TOTAL 1,166,000
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Appealing Agency WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Project Title Strengthening Delivery of Basic and Essential Health Care Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N32 Sector Health Themes PHC, Refugees, IDPs, Reproductive Health Objectives Support health care delivery for refugees, IDPs and affected population in health centres (posts) and hospitals Capacity building of doctors in trauma surgery Strengthen HIV/AIDS surveillance and control and reduce transmission Improve access and availability of basic reproductive health services to IDPs, refugees and affected population Targeted Beneficiaries Refugees, IDPs and affected host communities(Macenta, Gueckedou, Kissidougou , Faranah, forecariah and Kindia Partners MoH, NGOs (national and international), UNHCR Project Duration March – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 385,840
SUMMARY With a weakened health care system, health facility destruction and shortage of trained health care staff Guinea is struggling to face emergencies, war injuries and communicable diseases among refugees and displaced populations. In the Languette, the health posts are thought to be still functional (9 out11) but they have very few drugs due to insecure access and may have been looted of equipment. Gueckedou hospital is not functioning and may have been destroyed. There is an obvious need to train doctors and health staff on management of injuries, trauma. There are no reproductive health programmes to address the needs of the refugees, IDPs and the affected population. HIV/AIDS is on the rise, along with STD, though the absence of statistics and surveillance leads to an underestimation. Overcrowding, population displacement and breakdown of social barriers are all compounding factors for HIV transmission.
WHO will contribute to strengthen the delivery of health care in affected hospitals and health centres by supporting them with necessary equipment and supplies including essential drugs, capacity building and training of the district and provincial health teams. Together with its partners in the field, WHO will develop basic reproductive health activities, improving the access and the availability of these services for the refugees, IDPs and affected population, and in training the health personnel. By increasing access to condoms, ensuring safe blood transfusion and by raising awareness among the affected communities, WHO aims at reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS and at strengthening its surveillance.
Activities Support rehabilitation of destroyed health centres and hospitals and improve emergency surgical and obstaetrical services , X ray facilities and laboratories Support health centres and hospitals with necessary supplies and essential drugs Provide training for health personnel in trauma healing, surgery, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS surveillance Providing rapid testing equipment for HIV/AIDS and ensure training of laboratory staff on their use Development of HIV/AIDS educational material, and disseminating to IDPs, refugees and host communities
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Diagnostic equipment, drugs and supplies 150,000 (Blood transfusion kits, surgical kits and supplies, reproductive health) Training on trauma management 20,000 Training on HIV surveillance, rapid testing 20,000 Training on reproductive health 20,000 Production and dissemination of IEC material 20,000 Rehabilitation of health facilities 100,000 Coordination, monitoring and evaluation 34,000 Sub-total 364,000 Project support costs 21,840 TOTAL 385,840
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Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND Project Title Reproductive Health Care Services Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N33 Sector Health and Nutrition Theme Gender Objectives Ensure and increase the availability of quality Reproductive Health care services in Health centres in affected areas Reinforce knowledge, attitudes and practices of youth (including teenagers), men and women RH affected areas Targeted Beneficiaries Displaced and host populations Partners MPH, GTZ, PPSG, PRISM Project Duration January – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 760,151
SUMMARY With the destruction of health care facilities and the shortage in trained health personnel, Guinea is struggling to manage its health response to the current emergency situation in the prefectures of Forecariah, Kankan, Kouroussa, Dabola, Faranah, Kissidougou, Macenta and Guéckédou. This large movement of population could further contribute to the deterioration of the sanitary situation existing, leading to grave consequences to the overall health of the population and more especially to that of the most vulnerable including women, children and teenagers. Among other problems are, a high occurrence of early and unwanted pregnancies; childbirth in very poor conditions entailing risks for the mother and the child, septic induced abortions; fresh outbreaks of HIV/STI, the upsurge of juvenile delinquency with its corollaries (drugs, prostitution, alcoholism…), a high malnutrition rate among pregnant women, insufficient logistics means translating into an inadequacy between supply and demand of services within the sanitary structures.
All the factors listed above require immediate action from all partners with the view to helping government solve the multiple health problems that it should tackle during this period of crisis. In order to reduce the incidence of high maternal mortally rates and other related health problems, UNFPA will develop appropriate response to this emergency through this proposed activity. They will work on developing basic reproductive health activities improving the access and the availability of these services for the refugees, IDPs and affected populations. They will also aim to increase the level of reproductive health knowledge and practices among women of childbearing age, young/teenagers and men, and in training the health personnel.
This service will target approximately 550,000 refugees, IDPs and host populations in the eight prefectures mentioned above. The goal is to contribute to reduce the maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates in affected areas.
Output • Contraceptive prevalence increased • Maternal mortality and morbidity rates decreased • Prevalence of STI/AIDS decreased • Accessibility to the health care facilities improved
Activities • Procurement of 802 Reproductive Health (RH) sub-kits; Family Planning (FP); Sexually Transmitted Infections/AIDS (AIDS/STI) and RH training for 41 health centres • Inventory of contraceptives and other materials ordered by the HCs • Training of 81 RH providers for crisis situation (2 personnel per HC) • Distribution of management tools and of RH documents in sanitary structures • Establishment of community-based services (CBS) in 41 sub-prefectures (2 personnel/sub prefectures) through training of 40 supervisors and 82 SBC distribution personnel • CIE/counseling/RH training for 82 health personnel of HCs • CIE/RH training for 20 peers trainers in the 2 CECOJE Community Youth Centres existing in the area (i.e. 10 youth/centre, a total 20 youth to be trained) • Establishment of the 8 CIE/RH activities Promotion Officers (POs) (1 PO/prefecture; recruitment, training, operation of POs, purchase of 8 motorcycles and POs salaries, supervision of POs activities by PHDs/DPS
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• Production and dissemination of CIE/RH material through rural and community radio stations in the area in crisis situation (2 public programmes, 2 micro-programmes, 2 interviews, and 2 magazines for 6 broadcasts each in the year) • Follow-up and evaluation of field activities by the RH National Coordinator and the PHDs/DPS
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US $ Procurement of 802 RH sub-kits, FP, STI and RH training 643,246 RH training for 82 health personnel in RH /IEC 2,046 Establishment of community-based services (40 supervisors and 82 SBC distribution agents to be trained 3,173 CIE/counselling training for 82 health personnel 7,742 CIE/RH training for 20 peers trainers Establishment of CIE/RH activities Promotion Officer 50,962 Production and dissemination of CIE/RH material 2,020 Follow-up and evaluation Programme support cost (7%) 50,962 TOTAL 760,151
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SIERRA LEONE
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Emergency Health Services Project Code WA/SIL-01-1/34 Sector Health and Nutrition Themes Refugees, Children, Safe Motherhood, Objective To ensure availability of essential primary health care services for 80,000 women and children returnees and IDPs. Targeted Beneficiaries 80,000 women and children among returning refugees and IDPs Partners Ministry of Health and Sanitation, WHO, NGOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 424,500
SUMMARY The crisis in Guinea is putting additional burden on the already fragile Sierra Leone health system where less than 40% of the health facilities are functioning. The number of qualified staff is limited and the provision of drugs and medical supplies is not regular. The capacity of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to adequately respond to a large influx of returnees is limited. It has to rely on the support of UN agencies and NGOs.
UNICEF will support provision of a minimum package of basic health services to returnees. The minimum package will include immunisation, curative care for most common diseases, maternal and child care and health education. Children under-five and pregnant women will be vaccinated against measles and tetanus respectively upon arrival. Vitamin A will be administered to children aged 6-59 months. Routine immunisation will be provided in fixed sites and by mobile teams.
The strategy will be a combination of fixed and mobile points for ensuring that the returnees is are provided services through PHUs in host communities or in IDP camps. UNICEF will support 15 health facilities through MoHS on Lungi Peninsula where IDPs are already present and in areas where additional returnees are expected. Existing facilities in returnee areas will be strengthened by providing additional cold chain equipment, vaccines and medical supplies. The capacity of the District Health Management Team will be strengthened to coordinate and supervise this emergency response.
MCH Aides and TBAs will be identified among the returnees and given a refresher training based on MoHS guidelines. This will ensure the establishment of a network of community workers promoting safe motherhood and breastfeeding. TBAs will also be trained on distribution of iron folate tablets to pregnant women in order to reduce anemia prevalence, and on regular nutrition screening of under- fives and the rapid referral to nutritional rehabilitation centres.
Essential drugs kits will be supplied as well as supplies and equipment for immunisation activities. Teams will be provided with motorbikes and bicycles to facilitate supervision and outreach. Refresher training of health staff on case management of common diseases, immunisation and nutrition screening will be supported. The case management of diarrhoea will be emphasised and ORS sachets will be supplied.
For populations hosted in camps, support will be provided through NGOs responsible for the delivery of health care. Health education will be promoted through community workers. Emphasis will be put on exclusive breastfeeding for prevention of malnutrition in under-ones.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Basic medical equipment and nutrition screening equipment for 15 PHUs 18,000 65 PHU kits 71,500 60 MCH aide kits 5,000 150 TBA kits 10,000 ORS sachets (200,000) 15,000 Vaccines and related supplies 60,000 Cold chain equipment 30,000 Training (3 sessions for 45 PHU staff) 10,000 Allowances for Mobile Teams 36,000 Logistics support (fuel, local distribution, bicycles, motorbikes) 75,000 Health education materials and related activities 30,000 Field Office direct operating costs 43,750 HQ indirect programme support 20,250 (Additional) TOTAL 424,500
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LIBERIA
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND Project Title Women and Adolescent Health (Safe Motherhood) Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N35 Sector Health and Nutrition Themes Gender, Protection Targeted Beneficiaries IDPs, returnees and host communities in Nimba, Bong and Lofa; Women of childbearing age (10-49) and adolescents Partners County Health Services Administration/NGO Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 304,500
Objectives: To reduce maternal morbidity and mortality among women of childbearing age and promotion of reproductive health among the adolescents in Bong, Lofa and Nimba counties
SUMMARY Pregnant and lactating mothers as well as the under-fives are among the most distressed segments of the populations in post-war Liberia. They have very limited access to quality health facilities. This has been made more difficult by frequent cross-border incursions by rebel groups, and displacement of thousands of families seeking refuge in outlying counties notably Lofa, Bong and Nimba. As a result, a significant proportion of women and young people have very limited access to basic health services including regular and emergency obstaetric care, essential drugs, food, safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and accurate information on the pandemic HIV/AIDS. In addition, the adult literacy rate is less than 20% in Lofa County and less than 30% in Bong.
The maternal mortality rate in Liberia is estimated at 780 per 100,000 live births, and could be higher in border counties. The leading causes of maternal mortality, such as disorders of pregnancy, obstructed labour, haemorrhage, infections and abortion could be managed through effective pre-natal and appropriate delivery services. The high maternal mortality rate also has a direct impact on the infant mortality, especially during the neonatal period. The high risk of the transmission of STDs among partners and young people is another threat to the well being of women, youth and children. These preventable diseases are closely linked to lack of easy access to basic obstetric and reproductive services and inadequate knowledge and appropriate practices at the household and community.
Ongoing activities include training of health workers, supply of delivery kits, production of health education and learning materials, training for community support groups and referral of obstaetric emergencies. To cater for the additional caseload, which is a consequence of population movements, additional resources are required to ensure expansion of the services.
Strategies/Activities The proposed reproductive health services will be augmented through the provision of assistance using an integrated and multi-sectoral community-based strategy. Traditional midwives will be trained and equipped with basic medical supplies to facilitate safe delivery, and where necessary they will be able to detect and refer obstaetric emergencies to appropriate level of health care. Where the security situation permits, existing health facilities will be repaired, equipped and stocked with essential medical supplies and drugs. Health education and counseling services will be introduced to promote positive sexual and reproductive health practices. These activities will be implemented in close collaboration with WHO and UNFPA.
Expected Outcome • 40 traditional midwives will be trained • 30 nurse/midwives will be re-trained • 15 health facilities currently being renovated by other agencies including UNOPS will be equipped and supplied with more essential obstetric/medical supplies and drugs. Monthly supervisory and monitoring reports will be provided
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Technical assistance 40,000 Operational costs 110,000 Supplies and equipment (incl. 6 motorcycles) 70,000 Training and capacity building 70,000 Indirect programme support 14,500 TOTAL 304,500
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Support to the Child Health Care
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND Project Title Provision of Primary Health Care Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N36 Sector Health and Nutrition Themes Gender, Protection Targeted Beneficiaries Children under-five in affected areas Partners Ministry of Health and Social Welfare/ WHO/WFP/FAO/Ministry of Rural Development, NGOs and County Health Teams Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 938,000
Objective: To provide basic primary health care to children and their mothers affected by displacement and conflict.
SUMMARY Post-war Liberia is faced with enormous challenges including increasing numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees and impoverished communities who have had to begin resettlement from scratch. This has been made more difficult by frequent cross-border incursions by rebel groups and the movement of thousands of families seeking refuge in outlying counties - most notably Lofa, Bong and Nimba. As a result of recent hostilities, an estimated additional 40,000 children’s basic survival is at risk in those counties and an estimated 80,000 in other counties affected by displacement. Consequently the additional load to the already minimal basic services will severely stretch capacity.
The under-five mortality rate in the affected areas is above the national average of 159 per 1,000 live births. Malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age. These preventable diseases are closely linked to the lack of safe drinking water, environmental sanitation and inadequate knowledge and inappropriate practices by household/community. The proportion of fully immunised children under the age of one remains alarmingly low at 33%2. The proportion of pregnant women vaccinated against tetanus stands at 14%. As a result of the currently low vaccine coverage rates, Liberian children frequently face outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. This is particularly complex when a community experiences a population influx – which dramatically increases the potential for epidemics. The availability of qualified staff, particularly at the rural and peripheral health facilities is limited. Existing health personnel need training and/or retraining on management of EPI activities, cold chain maintenance and social mobilisation techniques.
This project therefore seeks funds to meet the additional EPI needs in Nimba. Bong and Lofa counties, and other displaced children, particularly in urban areas. It will build on the ongoing EPI activities and enable the returnees to continue the schedule of vaccines required for complete protection.
In rural areas, such as Bong, Nimba and Lofa, safe drinking water is supplied almost entirely by wells equipped with hand pumps. In post-conflict Liberia, 60% of hand pumps are not functioning. Sanitation facilities are even scarcer. Less than one percent of the rural population have access to appropriate human water disposal. To address the new needs, additional hand pumps and maintenance will be required in rural host communities. In urban areas, chlorine and purification tablets will be required, where the likelihood of overcrowding is high. Supplies and logistics for latrine construction will be essential to minimise the risk of epidemics particularly of diarrhoeal diseases.
Strategies/Activities The situation of children in these counties can be reversed through an integrated community approach. Additional funds will be used in the training of more health workers, supplying essential drugs including ORS, and insecticide impregnated bed nets. Using the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) strategy, health workers, village technicians and community leaders will be
2 National Multi Indicator Cluster Survey (Focused on immunisation coverage, nutritional status and child feeding practices). MoH/CHAL/UNICEF. 2000. (Preliminary Results).
125 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA trained and health systems improved. Caregivers will be made aware of appropriate household practices, care-seeking behaviour and of management of the common illnesses. Where the security situation permits, existing health facilities will be renovated by UNOPS, and stocked with essential drugs and the minimum equipment for running the facilities will be provided. These will be particularly needed in Bong - where it is likely that the largest influx would be experienced. Malnourished children identified through the Primary Health care network will receive support through supplementary feeding provided by WFP. Food security will also be enhanced through the support of FAO to the distribution of seeds and tools.
To protect children against communicable diseases and women against tetanus, EPI vaccines including TT will be provided. Additionally, the requisite stationary supplies such as reporting forms to support the monitoring of utilisation of vaccines, activity reporting forms, and EPI ledger books will be supplied. 40 kerosene operated refrigerators (ZERO type) and 2 solar powered refrigerators are required to ensure cold chain capacity in the host communities. Training and re-training of health personnel is an essential ingredient towards the effectiveness of the project. Social mobilisation activities in these counties will be undertaken to ensure awareness of the importance of vaccination. WHO will complement this activity through the implementation of epidemiological surveillance techniques.
Clinics and schools will be used as focal points for hygiene education and awareness raising about the relationship between sanitation, hygiene and child health. Implementing partners will closely coordinate further actions leading to the installation of the water and sanitation facilities and their management. Funds provided will be used to expand coverage to areas receiving significant numbers of returnees and IDPs. Each participating village will also appoint a Water/Sanitation Technician who will be the focal person and will be trained as the village technician for water and sanitation facilities. Support for water, sanitation and hygiene education will be given, based on local initiatives at the community level and using participatory methodologies for information dissemination and action oriented awareness of water borne childhood illnesses. Chlorinating water sources, installation, repairs and rehabilitation of hand pumps will be carried out in partnership with local NGOs.
Supplies will be pre-positioned to cater for the potential outbreak of cholera in over crowded areas such as IDP camps or in the overpopulated urban sites, and will include four cholera kits with ORS, IV solutions and medical supplies to facilitate isolation and treatment. This preparedness measure will also require training of health personnel to ensure quick response.
Expected Outcome • Improved quality and access to primary health care to deal with the additional case load in the three counties • Minimal risk of communicable and preventable disease outbreak among children and incidence of tetanus toxoid among pregnant women Increase of full immunisation coverage to 60% and high dose Vitamin A supplementation to 60% of children under-five in Bong, Nimba and Lofa Counties in line with the National goals • Support first level case management of diarrhoea through the setting up of 16 ORT corners at community level in host communities in Bong, Nimba and Lofa; and • Disseminate water, environmental sanitation and hygiene information including diarrhea, ARI and malaria in communities, primary schools and health centres; and • Support the provision, improvement and/or maintenance of water supply and environmental sanitation facilities for 15 schools, 10 clinics and 40 communities for the benefit of 100,000 persons • Adequate supplies and training to respond to diarrhoeal disease outbreak
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Primary Health Care Emergency medical supplies/equipment 50,000 Essential drugs including ORS sachets 82,000 Insecticide impregnated nets 27,000 Training and capacity building 35,000 Operational costs 85,000 Sub-Total 279,000 Expanded Programme of Immunisation Technical assistance 85,000 Operational costs 95,000 Supplies and equipment( cold chain equipment, vaccines and fuel) 100,000 Training and capacity building 65,000 Sub-total 345,000 Water and Sanitation Technical assistance 35,000 Operational costs 80,000 Supplies and equipment (hand pumps, cholera kits, water purification tabs and chlorine) 98,000 Capacity building/training 56,000 Sub-total 269,000 Indirect programme support 45,000 TOTAL 938,000
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Appealing Agency WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Project Title Control of vaccine preventable and other communicable diseases Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N37 Sector Health Themes IDPs, Emergency Response, Children/Survival . Objectives To support the Government of Liberia to respond to outbreaks of measles, yellow fever, malaria and meningitis To strengthen the existing integrated disease surveillance system for communicable diseases To support the National Immunisation days for polio vaccination To build national capacity to respond to outbreaks Targeted Beneficiaries Refugees, IDPs and host communities in affected areas Partners MoH, NGOs, UNICEF Project Duration March - December 2001 Funds Required US$ 1, 286,600
SUMMARY Conflict, displacement, continued incursions and attacks, have contributed to the degradation of the health system and health care delivery in Liberia. Despite many interventions, the health challenges abound. EPI coverage is still at 335, under-five mortality rates 235 deaths per 1000 live births (2000), 40% of the health centres are functioning and for a population of 2,666,000 (1998) we have only 42 trained traditional midwives, 120 physician assistants, 185 nurses and 135 registered doctors.
Health problems range from communicable diseases with outbreaks occurrence such as malaria, diarrhoea, yellow fever, Lassa fever, to malnutrition, anaemia and recently a rise in HIV/AIDS occurrence. Liberia was one of the last countries to embark on the implementation of the World Health Organization Polio eradication strategies. Vaccination and surveillance are the basis of the polio eradication initiative. Strengthening routine immunisation as well as conducting supplemental vaccination campaigns in the form of National Immunisation Days (NIDs) ensure that the polio virus is deprived from its susceptible host the child. The success of 1999 polio eradication efforts was surpassed during four rounds of intensified NIDs conducted in January, February, March and May 2000. An almost universal coverage of Liberia’s estimated 691,000 under-five population was achieved in each of the four rounds. Vitamin A supplementation to all children aged 6 months-59 months was done during the February NIDs, also with universal coverage.
Liberia also took part in the October West and Central Africa Synchronised NIDs, in which 76 million children in 17 countries were immunised in the largest public health initiative ever conducted in Africa. Besides allowing for reaching this large number of children in Africa in 2000, the synchronised NIDs provided opportunities for days of tranquility and peace and allowed for children in previously inaccessible areas to receive polio vaccines and Vitamin A. Surveillance for continued transmission of polio is based on the reporting and investigation of each case of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP). AFP surveillance was started in 1999 in Liberia and in July 2000 it was expanded to include 7 additional conditions ( Measles, Neonatal tetanus, Yellow fever, Cholera, Bloody Diarrhea, Meningitis and Viral Hemorrhagic fever/Lassa fever). This active integrated surveillance included as an objective the timely detection and prediction of epidemics, the monitoring of disease control/elimination interventions as well as providing evidence for resource mobilisation for more aggressive disease control strategies.
Despite the important improvement in this area, there is a need to strengthen this surveillance system and build on its advantages . Data collection by the Country health teams should be followed by local analysis and by a capacity from these local authorities to institute a case/ outbreak response. The National Immunisation Days will also require substantive funding in order to be successful.
Operational Objectives Strengthen this active surveillance system Develop local capacity for data analysis and response to outbreaks Develop concrete disease control protocols and interventions Support the National Immunisation Days (NIDs)
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Activities
1- Training of County health teams in surveillance data analysis, preparedness and response to outbreaks
2- Provide support for NIDs which involve:
• Both fixed and house-to-house vaccination delivery campaigns supported by decentralised social mobilisation and communication activities, including mass media and innovative inter-personal channels of communication; • Comprehensive micro-planning sessions at all levels i.e. national, county and district levels, staggered into initial and follow-up sessions with intervening household mapping and cold chain inventory; and, • Well organised supportive supervision with counties with particular difficulties (e.g. poor infrastructure, low coverage, weak coordinating committees…etc) prioritised and receiving more intensive supportive supervision from national level.
3- Supporting CHT in surveillance activities
4- Ensure a stock of essential drugs( for malaria, cholera…) and vaccines for outbreaks response
5- Developing Case management protocols and interventions
6- Increase the capacity of the laboratories for diagnosis
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Training workshops, material, publications 100,000 Support for NIDS 400,000 Equipment (communication)and supplies for Surveillance teams 100,000 Provision of stock of drugs, supplies and vaccines( malaria, cholera kits, yellow fever 300,000 vaccines) Development of protocols and case management 40,000 Laboratory supplies and equipment 60,000 Personnel (epidemiologist)and support staff(6 months) 100,000 Coordinated management ,monitoring and reporting 110,000 Subtotal 1,210,000 Programme support costs (6%) 72,600 TOTAL 1,286,600
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SUB-REGIONAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS
Appealing Agency WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION Activities Coordination of health interventions in conflict areas Cross-border Epidemiological Surveillance strengthening and coordination Prevention and Control of Epidemics and Strengthening of targeted public health interventions (Nutrition, Reproductive health) Project Code WA-01-1/N38 Sector Health Objectives To reduce suffering and loss of lives resulting from deteriorating health situations secondary to conflicts, displacement and communicable diseases especially those which are epidemic prone To ensure coordinated preparedness and response to cross border disease outbreaks To coordinate health activities between country offices and with partners in the sub-region To strengthen the capacities of national Public Health Services Targeted Beneficiaries General Population of the sub region especially conflict areas Partners Ministries of Health and local governments, UNHCR, UNICEF, NGOs Project Duration January – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 2,740,100
SITUATION ANALYSIS In the countries of West Africa the health status of the population remains below minimum standards. The effects of wars and internal conflicts have eroded the recent gains, made by the EPI programme. Communicable diseases such as malaria, cholera, meningo-coccal meningitis, haemorrhagic fever such as Lassa fever, Yellow fever, TB and HIV/AIDS are on the increase.
Basic health services in some of these countries have broken down due to conflicts and the pressure of refugees, internally displaced persons IDP and disrupted economies.
Disease surveillance has broken down and outbreaks of communicable diseases are detected late with disastrous consequences. Yellow Fever is spreading through the sub region. Guinea is in the middle of a major Yellow Fever outbreak with 776cases and 241deaths in 17districts and the figures are still rising. The outbreak in Liberia in 1998/99 is still simmering. Due to poor surveillance in the sub region, these recorded outbreaks might only be the tip of the iceberg. With the poor water and sanitation facilities, Cholera and Shigellosis outbreaks were reported from all the countries in the sub region. These disease outbreaks are in addition to the bigger problem of Malaria which is killing children by the thousand, and HIV/AIDS which is spreading uncontrolled in the population.
Infrastructure for basic preventive and curative care have not been maintained and with the exodus of health professionals, the management of cases has been left in the hands of a few poorly equipped private care providers and a few understaffed government health facilities. The staff have not had any in-service training to refresh their knowledge and equipment have not been serviced or updated. The result is poor case management with high case fatality rates for all diseases managed.
COORDINATION Some 3 million persons including refugees, IDPs and affected local populations are the most vulnerable in the region. The number of agencies (UN and NGOs) as well as the various ministries that are concerned with the health of these people make the coordination of all health related activities in the sub-region a major challenge. WHO's role in health and in coordinating health activities allows it to play a pivotal role in this area and thus WHO aims in this project to provide the necessary interface as well as the technical support needed to address health issues of the target population.
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NUTRITION WHO will monitor the populations closely for the early detection of malnutrition and coordinate targeted intervention by the appropriate agencies. The impact of wars on the nutritional status of the general population has been well documented. For a population whose nutritional status was already border line, it does not take much to shift them into the severe malnutrition category. As expected, children are most affected. The poor nutritional status also makes them most vulnerable to diseases. The disruption of health services also means that most of the children have not been immunised.
PRIORITIES WHO is already structured for the sub-regional approach and would be ready to support and coordinate all health related issues in the sub region. WHO priorities are therefore:
• To reduce avoidable loss of life, burden of disease and disability in emergencies through strengthening of cross border epidemiological surveillance and timely exchange of information • To ensure preparedness and response capacity in the region through capacity building and stockpiling of essential drugs and vaccines in key strategic places • To assess and monitor the situation in border areas of countries of West Africa; identifying public health and nutrition priorities • To ensure the presence and operational capacity in the field and strengthening coordination and effectiveness of cross border timely interventions • To organise inter agency coordination meetings to harmonise interventions for synergistic effect.
COMPETENCIES AND CAPACITIES The WHO Inter Country Team for the West African Sub-Region, which provides support to country programmes for early detection and control of epidemic prone diseases is in a position to provide leadership and coordination of health interventions, provided the team is strengthened with an emergency public health coordinator. We recognise the fact that other UN agencies can complement WHO's activities in several areas such as UNICEF for routine immunisation and child health, UNAIDS for the HIV/AIDS and UNFPA for family health. This proposal will therefore focus on three main interventions.
1- Coordination 2- Disease Surveillance including Cross-border surveillance 3- Epidemic Preparedness and Response
Objectives • To coordinate health related activities, needs assessments and cross border surveillance and exchange information with partners for interventions • To strengthen epidemiological surveillance mainly on communicable diseases especially epidemic prone ones in all the member countries and plan appropriate interventions for their control • To support regional and national capacity to make early diagnosis of epidemic prone diseases • To establish a system of surveillance data transmission and feedback • To support the establishment of regional and national Epidemic Response Teams • To establish a Sub-Regional contingency stocks of vaccines, drugs and other supplies for epidemic interventions and to monitor the National contingency stocks
Strategies • Appointing a sub-regional emergency public health coordinator • Strengthening epidemiological surveillance of the most common diseases with special focus on epidemic prone diseases by training and disseminating guidelines and case definitions • Raise regional and National Capacities to Rapidly Respond and manage epidemics. • Facilitate the formation of National Epidemics Taskforce • Capacity building and networking of laboratories for rapid diagnosis • Build capacity for data collection, analysis, recognition of thresholds and utilisation of data for intervention • Strengthen communication channels for exchange of information, networking, surveillance data transmission and feedback • Review stocks and establish contingency stocks at regional and national levels • Introduce/reintroduce Standard Case Management Protocols at all levels
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• Establish a forum for meeting Health Partners to discuss, plan and exchange information to avoid duplication of efforts. (UN bodies, Multinational National Donor/Development agencies, NGOs)
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Sub-regional coordination and cross border surveillance 750,000 Capacity building for health professional in the region 150,000 Stockpiling of essential drugs and vaccines to tackle regional outbreaks 850,000 Public health interventions; reproductive health, nutrition 450,000 Establishment of regional health information system including regional data base, 150,000 newsletter, Website Coordinated project management, monitoring and evaluation 235,000 Subtotal 2,585,000 Programme support costs 155,100 TOTAL 2,740,100
EXPECTED OUTCOME • Coordination of emergency public health activities • An efficient and effective surveillance system capable of early detection and confirmation of epidemics established in the sub region • Capacity of health workers enhanced to respond to epidemics in the sub region • Emergency stocks of vaccines and drugs in place to meet immediate needs • Free flow of health information between health partners and across boarders for effective management of epidemic. • Network of laboratories at regional level for epidemic preparedness and response • Strengthened and targeted emergency public health interventions( nutrition, reproductive health)
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J. HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW
Situation Analysis The human rights situation in west Africa, including Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone is characterised by weak national institutions and States unable to fulfil their human rights obligations due to serious or threatening internal problems. The Liberian war that spilled over to Sierra Leone and is now threatening in Guinea is characterised by the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law including rape, amputations, deliberate targeting of civilians and use of child soldiers. Just as the violation of human rights is at the root of the crisis in West Africa its respect should provide the basis and the foundation for the restoration of society. International efforts at assisting the restoration of the different societies should be complemented and hinged on a deliberate policy of developing strong and resilient national institutions to provide a veritable basis for the protection and promotion of human rights. One important aspect of this overall goal is to ensure that those who are directly involved in the peacekeeping effort are well grounded in the doctrines and practice of human rights and humanitarian law.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through its military observer group, ECOMOG, a peacekeeping initiative that debuted in Liberia in 1990 and was later extended to Sierra Leone in 1997 has remained a crucial factor in the efforts to restore peace and stability in the sub- region. ECOMOG withdrew from Sierra Leone in May 2000 following the deployment of UNAMSIL. Recently, ECOWAS decided to deploy an interposition force of 1,796 troops along the Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia borders. The proposed mandate of the force would include monitoring the border areas, neutralising irregular armed groups, facilitating the movement of persons, goods and services, ensuring the security of refugees and displaced persons. This recent decision as well as the ongoing training offered by the United States to troops of regional States to be deployed to peacekeeping operations, underlines the continued commitment of the Commission to its role in regional peacekeeping. The Security Council has in several resolutions, 1260 (1999) of 20 August 1999, 1270 (1999) 0f 22 October 1999, 1289 (2000) of 7 February 2000, welcomed the role of ECOMOG in the restoration of peace in Sierra Leone. The report of the Security Council Mission to Sierra Leone (S/2000/992) of 16 October 2000 noted the regional dimensions of the conflict in Sierra Leone. It recommended that “the Security Council and individual Governments should look positively at what they can do to support the decision by ECOWAS to prepare for an deploy and ECOWAS observer force on the borders of the three Mano River Union member countries”.
The increasing involvement of ECOWAS in the complex business of peacekeeping operations poses new challenges to the organisation nontheless the need to have access to an adequate number of peacekeeping personnel fully prepared to perform their new tasks. The provision of specialised training to peacekeeping personnel has therefore become a central issue, which is crucial to the success of peacekeeping operations. Training is needed not only on general principles and procedures of peacekeeping, but also on human rights and humanitarian norms and functions, which are also tasks assigned to peacekeepers.
It is important that the officers to be deployed as part of the interposition force and future peacekeeping operations in the sub-region be given a thorough grounding in the range of human rights standards, particularly regarding the treatment of vulnerable groups including women and children. This need is exacerbated by the complex emergency situation of the border region of the Mano River Union where the weak structural and institutional basis for the protection of human rights deepens the crisis situation.
The immediate benefits of professional human rights training for peacekeeping and/or border monitoring forces include a marked improvement in their performance and a dissemination of human rights sensitivity throughout the community. In the context of the sub-region, improved performance of peacekeepers and their adherence to human rights standards would enhance their relationship with the local populace, their immediate community.
Operational Objectives 1. Undertake training in human rights and humanitarian law for peacekeepers and border monitors; 2. Provide resources and develop regional capacity to train peacekeepers in human rights and humanitarian law.
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Strategies • Engage local human rights resources to work closely with expert consultants in conducting on-site training • Training will be conducted in small groups to ensure greater impact • Training of trainers to ensure sustainability
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Appealing Agency OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Project Title Integrating Human Rights in the Training of Regional Peacekeepers under the auspices of the ECOWAS Military Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Project Code WA/SIL-01-1/N39 Sector Human Rights/Rule of Law Objective Increase sensitivity of the sub-regional ECOMOG peacekeepers to their role in the protection and promotion of human rights Targeted Beneficiaries Sub-regional Peacekeepers and Border monitors Partners UNAMSIL and UNOL Project Duration Six months Funds Requested US$ 260,000
SUMMARY In order to address the need for human rights training for peacekeeping forces, the Office for the High Commission of Human Rights (OHCHR) proposes to deploy a human rights training team to West Africa. The team will implement a time specific training programme for peacekeepers in Sierra Leone and members of the ECOWAS Interposition Force in the Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea border.
The team would conduct intensive human rights training for the peacekeepers and border monitors as well as military instructors. The training would comprise humanitarian law, the Statute of the International Criminal Court, child soldiers, women in armed conflict, role of human rights NGOs as well as the use of force and the enforcement of African regional mechanism for the protection of human and peoples’ rights. The team would also assist and facilitate the development of a programme of dissemination of information on human rights for peacekeeping and also develop a manual adapted to the needs of the sub-region.
The project constitutes an integral component of the West Africa sub-regional strategy of the OHCHR and will be co-ordinated in close collaboration with the ECOWAS Secretariat, Abuja, Nigeria, the Human Rights Section of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and the United Nations Peace-Building Office in Liberia (UNOL).
This project is intended to provide 1000 prospective peacekeepers/border monitors and 40 military and police instructors in charge of peace-keepers' training at the national level, from countries which provide the bulk of ECOMOG troops with specialised training on peacekeeping and human rights and humanitarian law issues. It will also provide materials to be used in their national training activities. In so doing, the project will contribute to the establishment of capacity for human rights training for military personnel in the recipient countries as well as indirectly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the sub-regional peacekeeping operation.
KEY OUTPUTS • 1000 prospective peacekeepers/border monitors properly grounded in human rights and humanitarian law issues related to peacekeeping • 40 trainers skilled in the delivery of training in human rights and humanitarian law for peacekeepers • Development of a manual on human rights for peacekeepers under the auspices of ECOWAS • Strengthening of the capacity of ECOWAS to deploy fully and adequately trained peacekeepers • Strengthening of the national capacity of the main troop contributing States to provide qualified personnel
MAJOR INPUTS • Trainee support costs • Training materials • Production, printing and dissemination of manual • Production of report • Recruitment of specialised training team
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ACTIVITIES • Identification and deployment of training experts • Identification and training of the military instructors • Identification and training of the prospective peacekeepers • Conducting of training sessions • Conducting of an evaluation • Establishment of modalities for follow-up in collaboration with the Military Training Schools and the ECOWAS Secretariat • Conducting of an evaluation
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Travel (within the region) 30,000 Consultants and trainers 120,000 Course materials 70,000 Production/dissemination of human rights manual for peacekeepers 40,000 TOTAL 260,000
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K. MULTI-SECTOR
ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES AND RETURNEES
Situation Analysis
Approximately one million refugees and returnees are of concern to UNHCR in the West Africa sub-region, mainly
• Guinea: 420,000 (300,000 Sierra Leoneans, 120,000 Liberians) • Sierra Leone: 42,000 (35,000 returnees, 7,000 Liberian refugees) • Liberia: 460,000 (380,000 returnees, 80,000 Sierra Leonean refugees) • Côte d’Ivoire: 120,000 Liberian refugees.
An increasingly volatile political and security situation in the above countries confronts the UNHCR and its partners in their endeavor to provide assistance and protection to these refugees and returnees. Particularly, insecurity, along parts of Guinea's border with Sierra Leone and Liberia since last September, has adversely affected the operational effectiveness of humanitarian organisations. Many thousands of refugees have been forced to flee their camps and move further inland or return to Sierra Leone. Human rights abuses including serious limitations to their freedom of movement, physical attacks, the burning of their homes and looting of their property are commonplace. UNHCR and its humanitarian partners virtually lost access to some 180,000 refugees in the border areas in Southeastern Guinea. All operational locations outside Conakry have been declared as UN security phase IV, except for Kissidougou and Nzerekore.
UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies are severely handicapped by a pervasive insecurity in their efforts to assist refugees, returnees and IDPs in the sub-region. UNHCR’s mandate can only be carried out if security conditions improve substantially. The need for support and possible expansion of political and peacekeeping military initiatives currently under consideration shall continue to be advocated, to restore peace and stability in the entire sub-region and to provide a safe and secure environment for humanitarian activities. In this regard, UNHCR strongly urges the international community to back the ECOWAS initiative to deploy 1,600 troops to the border between Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and to take further firm action on the political and security problems in the sub-region.
Priorities: Top priority in this sector is to manage the refugee emergency in the sub-region through: • Providing emergency assistance to Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees in Southeast Guinea as well as to destitute internally displaced Guineans there; • Organising the internal relocation of refugees to relatively safe areas inside Guinea, while giving priority to 180,000 of them who are stranded in the « Languette », west of Gueckedou; • Facilitating the repatriation, from Guinea, of Sierra Leonean refugees and their re-integration, • Promoting the repatriation, from Guinea, of Liberian refugees and their re-integration.
Competencies and Capacities UNHCR country teams in Guinea and Sierra Leone have been strengthened with the deployment of three emergency teams totaling some 50 staff to assist in carrying out these activities. Since the end of December 2000, emergency assistance (e.g. food distribution) has been provided to some 65,000 refugees in the camps of Massakoundou (Kissidougou Préfecture) and Nyaedou (Gueckedou Préfecture) and on the axis between Kissidougou and Faranah.
On 6 February, the internal relocation of refugees finally started under precarious conditions from Nyaedou to Albadaria (north of Kissidougou) where two camps have been prepared to accommodate up to 60,000 people. To ensure that there are no armed elements among them, trucks carrying luggage brought by the refugees are submitted to systematic searches by the Guinean army and refugees are screened. A large-scale spontaneous refugee movement from Nyaedou camp towards Kissidougou has been recently triggered by attacks on Gueckedou. On the other hand, approximately 35,000 Sierra Leonean refugees have benefited from facilitated repatriation and assistance in Sierra Leone. Those who are from rebel-controlled areas in Sierra Leone are being assisted in settlement sites in Lungi and Kenema.
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Any internal or external relocation or the establishment of “humanitarian safe corridors” requires the political and military support of the governments concerned, ECOWAS, as well as of UNAMSIL. The planned signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between the ECOWAS and UNHCR is a significant step towards this objective.
Other UN Agencies, in particular, WFP, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, IOM, UNFPA and FAO, have expanded their activities in support of UNHCR’s efforts to provide relief and rehabilitation services to both refugees and returnees in the countries concerned. UNCHR also works closely with a number of local and international NGOs who act as either collaborating or implementing agencies.
Strategy Close inter-agency co-ordination is a vital element of UNHCR’s operations and the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis as whole. In view of the sub-regional impact of the evolving situation in Guinea and neighboring countries, the strategy adopted by UNHCR and other agencies for emergency preparedness and response consists of a regional approach as opposed to a country- specific approach. In the respective countries, UNHCR has strengthened existing relations with its operational partners and, as far as possible, the same partners will be involved on both sides of the cross-border operation. In line with this strategy, UNHCR, while coordinating its activities with other UN agencies in the respective countries, is also strengthening its working relationship with other UN agencies at the regional level through offices therein.
Activities The current emergency and political developments also have an impact on some of the assistance policies of UNHCR and its partners in the region.
In Guinea. Since a significant number of Liberian refugees have been displaced by recent events in Guinea and are without the coping mechanisms which they had developed over years, UNHCR is planning to provide them with emergency assistance based on current needs.
In Liberia, The lack of assistance from the international community in favour of the reconstruction of Liberia has made it extremely difficult for UNHCR to link its short-term reintegration activities with development-oriented activities and to ensure a proper hand-over and phasing out of its programmes.
In Côte d’Ivoire, the assistance programme for some remaining 120,000 Liberian refugees has been scaled down with emphasis on local integration. However, given the political instability in the country, the resolution of the refugee situation has been overshadowed by more pressing domestic problems. As a case in point, the planned enrolment of refugee children in Ivoirian primary schools - an important component of the local integration strategy - has been delayed.
UNHCR’s approved budget for the year 2001 amounts to some US$ 73.9 million for the sub-region: Guinea: US$ 31.6 million; Liberia: US$ 15.8 million; Côte d’Ivoire: US$ 10.4 million; Sierra Leone: US$ 16.2 million.
Due to the changes in the nature of the operation, UNHCR’s budgetary requirements are likely to increase considerably as the situation develops. At this point in time, UNHCR depends on a prompt and positive response from Donors to secure the funding of the current budget. Only up-front contributions will allow UNHCR to ensure the rapid assignment of staff and the timely implementation of the programme. Based on progress made, UNHCR will review its budgetary requirements by mid- year.
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GUINEA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES Sierra Leonean and Liberian Refugees: Emergency assistance, PROJECT TITLE internal relocation and repatriation Sector Multi-Sector Overall Objectives Access to refugees to provide protection and emergency assistance Relocation of refugees from high risk border zones to new camps in safer locations, where refugees enjoy basic human rights standards and are assisted Offer the options of safe asylum in Guinea or facilitated repatriation to Sierra Leone
Targeted Beneficiaries 300,000 Sierra Leonean and 120,000 Liberian Refugees Partners NGOs, Government Project Duration January - June 2001 Total Budget approved US$ 31,557,093 (a review of the existing budget will take place by mid-year)
SUMMARY The insecurity in the border areas between Guinea and its neighbours Sierra Leone and Liberia resulted in the displacement of and lack of access to the majority of the 420,000 refugees in Guinea. As a result of cross-border attacks which took place since September 2000, a number of refugee camps were destroyed and hundreds of civilians died.
Emergency Assistance Since January 2001, some 65,000 refugees have moved to safer locations near Kissidougou, where they are assisted by UNHCR and its partners. The remaining caseload, including some 140,000 refugees from the so called Parrot's Beak, are receiving sporadic assistance whenever the security conditions allow. The main emergency interventions include coordination, protection, tracing, distribution of WFP food, procurement and distribution of non-food items (e.g. blankets, jerry cans, mats and soap), as well as emergency assistance in the sectors water, sanitation, health, shelter and education.
Internal Relocation One of the priority protection measures in Guinea is the relocation of refugees away from the high risk border zones. The establishment of the Albadaria camps with a total capacity for 60,000 persons, north of Kissidougou will enable refugees to enjoy protection and basic human rights in relatively safe areas. UNHCR started moving refugees from the Nyaedou and Katkama camps to the new Albadaria camp in February 2001. Additional camps are planned to be developed in the Dabola and Kindia regions to reach an overall target capacity of 140,000 refugees by end of June 2001.
This project will seek funds for the construction of the new camp sites in relatively safe areas and for the transportation of refugees to these camps. The main interventions in this area include co- ordination, camp construction, mass information campaign, transportation of equipment and relief items, transportation of refugees, provision of food, procurement of additional non-food items (kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, wood) as well as the establishment of durable sectoral support in water, sanitation, health, shelter and education. In order to ensure the civilian and humanitarian character of the camps, specific security arrangements are to be set in place.
Facilitated Repatriation The insecurity in the border areas also led to an increase of refugees returning to Sierra Leone and Liberia. By end of January 2001, some 30,000 Sierra Leoneans and 2,000 Liberians returned home, often taking great risks. In order to facilitate repatriation to Sierra Leone, while respecting minimum standards of safety and dignity, UNHCR started to provide transport by sea in late December 2000. This activity was taken over and enhanced by IOM as of January 2001. For the facilitation of the return movement, transit centres for departing and arriving returnees have been established in Guinea and Sierra Leone. Under this project it is planned to assist some 50,000 refugees to return in safety and dignity to Sierra Leone and repatriate several thousands to Liberia by the end of June 2001. The
139 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA main activities include co-ordination, the setting up of transit facilities in Guinea, mass information campaigns, transport by road, sea and air. A contingency for the massive return of some 150,000 Sierra Leoneans has also been factored in.
Output:
access and provision of protection and emergency assistance to all refugees in Guinea; refugees who opt for continued asylum in Guinea are moved away from high-risk areas to relatively safe camp locations; refugees who opt for facilitated and voluntary repatriation take an informed decision, are duly registered and assisted with transport; Systems for refugees with special needs (e.g. unaccompanied minors, elderly, split families) are set in place and coordinated with all actors involved; UNHCR's co-ordination role for refugees and returnees enhances transparency; information sharing, effective resource management, provision of operational framework and support, standard setting for protection and assistance.
Liberian Refugees The vast majority of the remaining 123,000 Liberian refugees in Guinea originate from Lofa County, where rebel activities continue unabated. It is therefore unlikely that large numbers of refugees will choose to repatriate any time soon. Nevertheless, increasing tensions in Guinea, coupled with growing protection problems may prompt some of these refugees to opt for untimely return and settle to other parts in Liberia. In this event, UNHCR may consider facilitating their repatriation and providing limited assistance to receiving communities in Liberia until they can return to their places of origin. UNHCR will continue to monitor the situation in Lofa county and mount an organised repatriation when the situation becomes conducive in Lofa.
Meanwhile, some 12,000 Liberians, who reside at the Kouankan refugee camp will continue to receive protection and material assistance directly from Sub-office N’zerekore.
Urban Refugees The situation of the estimated 2,000 urban refugees in Guinea (mainly Sierra Leoneans and Liberian) has deteriorated significantly during the latter part of 2000. This has prompted many of them to opt for repatriation. For those remaining behind, UNHCR will continue to seek lasting solutions. Training and support will be provided for the Comite d’eligibilite, which will organise the status determination of individual refugees and asylum-seekers.
UNHCR will also assess the level of assistance required by recognised refugees and continue its material and financial support for vulnerable persons, unable to earn a living. Support to income generating activities and skills training will be pursued, in order to increase economic independence of urban refugees.
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Appealing Agency INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Project Title Cross-border return assistance to Sierra Leonean refugees Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N40 Sector Multi-Sector Overall Objectives To facilitate voluntary repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees through provision of safe and orderly transportation assistance Targeted Beneficiaries 100,000 Sierra Leonean Refugees Partners UNHCR, MSF, IMC, GTZ, national and local authorities Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 7,068,000
SUMMARY IOM will work jointly with UNHCR, and at the latter’s request, provide safe and orderly transportation assistance to some 100,000 Sierra Leonean refugees who wish to return voluntarily from Guinea to Sierra Leone. IOM’s primary intervention will be the provision of sea transportation to the returning refugees from Conakry to Freetown. When security conditions permit, IOM will also participate in a joint air operation to transport refugees in southeast Guinea to safe areas in Sierra Leone. This operation will be implemented under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding and the Guidance Notes on Cooperation in the Transportation Sector between UNHCR and IOM. IOM assumed full responsibility for managing the sea operation as of 7 January 2001, while the airlift will be considered at a later stage when staging sites in south east of Guinea is already safe to begin operation.
Specific Activities Provide local transportation in departure and at arrival points. Registration (transport manifest) of refugees prior to return. Arrange cross-border transportation from Guinea to Sierra Leone, initially by sea. Participate in joint airlift return operation from Guinea to Sierra Leone. Provide in-country air transport, as required. Provide travel health assistance to refugees where such are not yet being provided.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ 6 international officers (6 x US$ 7,000 x 12 months) 504,000 2 technical experts (2 x US$ 5,000 x 12 months) 120,000 60 national assistants (60 x US$ 300 x 12 months) 126,000 12 national senior assistants (12 x US$ 500 x 12 months) 72,000 International and inland travel 50,000 Staff training and orientation 10,000 Office supplies and maintenance 50,000 Communication 50,000 Office equipment and furniture 120,000 Admin / operations vehicles and maintenance 240,000 12 125cc motorbikes and maintenance (12 x US$ 3,000) 36,000 24 mobile phones (24 x US$ 500) 12,000 Sea transport (90,000 pax x US$ 40) 3,600,000 Air transport (10,000 pax x US$ 100) 1,000,000 Other transport cost (100,000 pax x US$ 10) 1,000,000 Admin and operational support 78,000 TOTAL 7,068,000
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SIERRA LEONE
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES Main Activities Local Settlement for Liberian refugees; Repatriation and Reintegration of Sierra Leonean Refugees Targeted Beneficiaries 100,000 Sierra Leonean returnees 5,000 Liberian refugees Partners NCRRR, NGOs Project Duration January-December 2001 Objectives • Assist returnees (spontaneous and facilitated) to be temporarily or permanently settled and socio-economically self-sufficient; • Help Liberian refugees in need of continued international protection achieve long-term solutions through local integration or resettlement. Funds Requested US$ 16,197,6573
SUMMARY Causes for the continuation of the Sierra Leonean conflict are intrinsically linked to the insecurity that has characterized the sub-region for the past ten years. The precarious security situation that has prevailed along the Sierra Leonean and Guinean borders further deteriorated in September 2000 with the intensification of attacks on Guinean border towns and reached its peak when an attack was launched by rebels on the town of Gueckedou in early December 2000.
Since September, as the number of returning refugees grew, UNHCR and other partners came to the conclusion that although conditions in Sierra Leone were not met for an organised return in conditions of safety and dignity, assistance had to be provided on arrival. This approach was approved at the regional level and in December 2000 it was decided that UNHCR would further extend its involvement by providing sea transport from Conakry to Freetown. It is against this backdrop that the project initially contained in the Consolidated Appeal for Sierra Leone has been amended to integrate emergency assistance to returning refugees originating from areas still under rebel control and longer-term programmes aimed at contributing to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of safe returnee areas. The 2001 budget, included in the inter-agency consolidated appeal budget did not foresee a large UNHCR involvement in the transportation of returning refugees and in the construction of transit centres or temporary settlement sites. By mid-year, depending on the evolution of the situation, the current US$13,238,599 supplementary programme budget for the repatriation and reintegration of Sierra Leonean refugees will be reviewed. The revised budget will cover the needs for the planned number of returnees but also include contingency planning requirements should there be a massive returnee influx.
New developments and planning figures From September to December 2000 some 25,000 returning Sierra Leonean refugees have benefited from UNHCR’s assistance. In the year 2001, UNHCR estimates that some 50,000 refugees originating mainly from unsafe areas (Kambia, Kailahun and Kono) will, as a result of the prevailing insecurity in Guinea opt to return to their country. This figure will also include a limited number of refugees who may opt to return from Liberia. On the assumption that the current status quo in Sierra Leone will continue to prevail, an additional 50,000 refugees originating from safer areas such as the Pujehun, Kenema, Bo Districts as well as from Freetown may return from both Guinea and Liberia. Based on past experience and on the fact that in spite of the signing of a cease-fire agreement, parties to the conflict do not seem willing to bring the conflict to an end through peaceful means, a very flexible approach will be followed in the implementation of the present project. It is also foreseen that, should the situation further deteriorate in Guinea or should a humanitarian corridor be secured through RUF held territories, up to 100,000 Sierra Leoneans currently residing in Guinea Forrestiere may return. Planning figures for the local settlement assistance for Liberian refugees i.e. 5,000 remain unchanged.
Repatriation and reintegration of Sierra Leonean returnees Refugees originating from the northern part of the country still under rebel control will continue to be temporarily settled in local communities on the Lungi peninsula. Besides food assistance provided by the World Food Programme, returning refugees will be provided with household utensils as well as
3 The approved budget will be reviewed against assessed needs by mid-year.
142 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA seeds and tools. A micro-credit scheme will also be set up, and community based assistance programmes will be implemented, benefiting both the local and returning populations.
In other parts of the country, efforts will be made to identify communities able to accommodate returning refugees originating from the rebel held Kailahun and Kono Districts. However, the level of destruction which the country has suffered for the past nine years of civil war limits the number of communities able to absorb returnees. Furthermore, the rate at which refugees are expected to return from Guinea may not allow sufficient time for the necessary sensitisation and consultation to take place to ensure that returning refugees are accepted and integrated in “foreign” communities. A number of camps/settlement will therefore be built to accommodate refugees unable to return to their places in the eastern part of the country.
The situation of returning refugee women and girls is precarious, as many have suffered sexual abuse and other forms of physical violence both in Sierra Leone and during exile. Disabled returnees, including those who suffered amputations in the hands of rebel forces, will be targeted through special medical rehabilitation programmes. Victims of violence will receive counselling and other support services through local women’s organisations and NGOs.
Reintegration activities initiated in the year 2000 in safe areas of return will be pursued with the same objective of encouraging spontaneous returns through implementing community-based, non-targeted and demand-driven interventions, thus avoiding discrimination between population groups. Furthermore, in pursuance of its mandate for seeking durable solutions for refugees UNHCR will monitor the consequences of the return. This will be done through building up the monitoring capacity of the government but also through independent returnee monitoring carried out by UNHCR protection staff as well as through partnerships with other relevant human rights agencies and NGOs.
Local Settlement for Liberian Refugees Most of the remaining Liberian refugees have been living in Sierra Leone since the early days of the Liberian civil war. However, only very few have repatriated voluntarily recently, citing their continued fear of persecution as the main reason for not returning to Liberia. A screening exercise conducted in 2000 revealed that the great majority of these refugees are likely to remain in Sierra Leone, either due to their continued need for international protection or on humanitarian grounds, which warrant local integration. Humanitarian factors include the fact that a large proportion of the refugees has developed strong family links in Sierra Leone over the years. UNHCR will therefore continue to work to identify the most appropriate lasting solution for these refugees. This entails negotiating with the Government regarding their future legal status in the country and the possibility of local integration. Meanwhile, the Office will build upon self-reliance activities commenced in 2000. Resettlement would be another solution, but it is expected that only a very limited number of Liberian refugees will be offered this option.
In 2001, UNHCR will offer material assistance to approximately 1,500 of these Liberians, in an effort to encourage their local integration and economic independence. They will receive vocational training, agricultural inputs and livestock, counselling, help to trace relatives, education and limited financial support for income-generating activities (through micro-credits). The most vulnerable refugees will receive food and help to cover the cost of primary health care. The Office will also ensure that refugee children in vulnerable families are able to attend school.
The aim is that by the end of 2001, the majority of the Liberian refugees in Sierra Leone will have found a lasting solution and achieved self-reliance.
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Appealing Agencies INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Project Title Return Assistance to IDPs in Sierra Leone Project Code WA/SIL-01-1/N41 Sector Multi-sector Themes IDPs, coordination, security Objective To facilitate the return and resettlement of IDPs in Sierra Leone through the establishment of reliable and effective transportation system for safe and orderly return Targeted Beneficiaries 33,000 IDPs in Sierra Leone Partners OCHA, UNAMSIL, UNDP, WFP, international and national NGOs, national and local government authorities, particularly the NCRRR Project Duration 3 months Funds Requested US$ 1,650,000
SUMMARY The project will provide reliable and effective transport system and infrastructure for a safe and orderly return of displaced persons to their communities of origin, as well as the provision of their most immediate reintegration needs as soon as they are back in their villages. This activity is implemented at the request of OCHA and NCRRR in support of the IDP resettlement strategy developed by the Government and the humanitarian community. Return will be arranged and organised in close cooperation with OCHA, UNAMSIL, UNDP and WFP. It will be conducted only after safety precautions are well ensured, such as that the villages of return are safe for the IDPs, that the route of return is safe for the vehicles and passengers, and that the vehicles themselves are safe for the passengers. For long distance travel, the IDPs require food and water for consumption during the travel, and perhaps also transit centres en route. Project staff will escort transport vehicles and a receiving project team will be waiting at the receiving end. Reintegration assistance will be closely coordinated with other aid agencies since some of them are also providing family kits and household kits. It will be ensured that an IDP beneficiary receives assistance only once so that limited resources are maximised. The best way to avoid duplication is for the project to provide reintegration kits only to those whose return is assisted under this project.
Specific Activities • Survey and report of transport facilities available in Sierra Leone. • Survey and report of road and bridges infrastructure. • Identification of and securing staging, resting and transit points. • Establishment of vehicle depot and maintenance shops. • Procurement and deployment of initial transport vehicles, when necessary. • Establish and field-test a logistics operations plan and database. • Procurement and warehousing of reintegration supplies. • Distribution of reintegration kits. • Safety and discipline training for drivers and mechanics. • Pre-embarkation medical check. • Provision of escorts, operations or medical, for groups in need of them. • Follow-up assistance whenever is required by some IDPs, e.g. medical. • Preparation of regular statistical reports on IDPs and their locations. • Provision of quick-impact community-based reintegration assistance identified by the IDPs and the host communities themselves.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ 2 international officers (2 x US$ 7,000 x 3 months) 42,000 30 national drivers / mechanics (30 x US$ 300 x 3 months) 27,000 60 national transport assts / mechanics (60 x US$ 250 x 3 mos) 45,000 8 national social workers / counselors (8 x US$ 500 x 3 mos) 12,000 8 national community organisers (8 x US$ 500 x 3 months) 12,000 1 training session for national staff (US$ 5,000) 5,000 Office supplies 12,500 Communication 12,500 20 lorries (20 x rental US$ 5,000) 100,000 10 lorries (10 x buy US$ 40,000) 400,000 Shipment, handling and customs 100,000 Fuel, oil and spare parts 74,000 Reintegration kits (e.g. domestic, farm, basic toolkit, etc.) 190,000 Community-led quick impact reintegration projects 297,000 4 all-terrain vehicles (4 x US$ 25,000) 100,000 8 sets of well-equipped mechanic shop (8 x US$ 20,000) 160,000 8 sets of desktop PC and printer (8 x US$ 3,375) 27,000 2 software plus other PC accessories (2 x US$ 1,000) 2,000 16 mobile VHF/HF radios (16 x US$ 875) 14,000 4 mobile phones (4 x US$ 500) 2,000 Admin and operational support 16,000 TOTAL 1,650,000
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LIBERIA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES Main Activities • Care and maintenance for Sierra Leonean refugees • Repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees • Repatriation and reintegration of Liberian refugees Targeted Beneficiaries • 70,000 Sierra Leonean refugees • 30,000 Liberian returnees Partners LRRRC, NGOs (international and local) Project Duration January - December 2001 Objectives • Protect and assist Sierra Leonean refugees • Facilitate the repatriation of Sierra Leonean refugees when it becomes feasible • Assist in reintegration of Liberian returnees Funds Requested US$ 15,787,7284
SUMMARY Currently there are some 70,000 Sierra Leonean refugees seeking asylum in Liberia of whom 34,000 are assisted in six UNHCR-sponsored refugee camps in Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount Countries where all basic services are made available: health, education, shelter, food, agriculture, domestic needs, water and sanitation. A significant emphasis is put on activties (eg income generation) fostering their self-sufficiency. The remaining 36,000 refugees are scattered throughout Lofa County with no international protection or humanitarian assistance. Intensified fighting in Lofa County has not yet permitted the return of UNHCR and other relief agencies who evacuated the area amid mounting insecurity.
UNHCR continues to intervene to assure the physical safety of refugees in the camps in association with government counterparts. In addition, awareness training on women’s rights will be organised for refugees, implementing partners and government staff which will further emphasise the encouraged woman’s role in camp leadership. Workshops and campaigns to raise consciousness against harmful traditional practices will also be highlighted. Regarding children, numerous activities are being implemented to, inter alia, promote children’s rights, provide counselling and peer support groups, and to assist in family tracing.
In view of the fragile political and security situation in Sierra Leone and the limited absorption capacity for returnees in government-held territories, UNHCR has not yet commenced organised voluntary repatriation from Liberia to Sierra Leone, although a small percentage has reportedly repatriated spontaneously. If stabilisation is witnessed and the atmosphere for voluntary repatriation is conducive, it is foreseen that 25,000 Sierra Leoneans will repatriate throughout 2001 either with direct UNHCR assistance or spontaneously.
In preparation of the eventual Sierra Leonean repatriation exercise in Liberia, UNHCR has engaged and will continue to bolster various activities particularly with cross-border impact. In the area of training, instructional components have been developed for the education and health fields, specifically targeting the refugee community. A functional database of Sierra Leonean refugees will be created to support the planning and implementation of the overall voluntary repatriation and reintegration exercise. In addition, capacity building of national implementing partners and line ministries will be pursued in efforts to improve their response capacities.
Repatriation and Reintegration of Liberian Returnees At the virtual conclusion of the repatriation and reintegration of Liberian refugees by the end of 2000 (except in Guinea), some 376,000 Liberians returned home either spontaneously or with UNHCR assistance. Of this total, more than half was destined for Lofa County. The repatriation to Lofa County, where many Liberian refugees in Guinea originate from, has been suspended since armed confrontations in this area in August 1999. Repatriation of Liberian refugees in Guinea to other Counties in Liberia has been put on hold following the border closure between Guinea and Liberia in July 2000. If stability can be realised in Lofa County and the border between two counties reopens, it
4 The approved budget will be reviewed against assessed needs mid-year.
147 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA was initially envisioned that up to 30,000 Liberians may decide to return from Guinea in 2001, therefore reintegration activities are planned in Lofa County.
Meanwhile, the increasing insecurity in border areas in Guinea has added a new dimension to the repatriation and reintegration of Liberian refugees. In response to the prevailing security situation in Guinea, UNHCR continues to explore possibilities to resume the organised voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees from Guinea.
Repatriation to Liberia should preferably be overland, using the most direct route. However, if road transport is not possible over adjacent border areas, convoys transiting Ivory Coast or repatriation by airlift or sea should be considered. Upon arrival, Liberian returnees will be received by the responsible national structure with UNHCR support. Returnees will then be transported to their areas of origin apart from Lofa County. Returnees originating from Lofa County will be assisted in a transit centre then to temporary host communities that will be supported with community-based reintegration activities through the national mechanism as well as by UNHCR and other UN Agencies. The reintegration activities will include rehabilitation of schools, clinics, rural water supply and roads/bridges as well as agricultural and environmental management projects. Micro-finance projects are also planned in order to stimulate proactively economic development in communities receiving returnees.
Coordination with other UN Agencies UNHCR works closely with WFP which supplies food to Sierra Leonean refugees and for the Liberia returnees. UNHCR associates UNICEF in its accelerated learning programme for refugee children. In education sector, there will be also efforts in peace education for the returnees/refugees and the local population in consultations with the UNOL. UNHCR Liberia collaborates with WHO which uses UNHCR vehicles for its vaccination campaign. In 2001, UNOPS and UNHCR envisage the implementation of a micro-finance project.
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COTE D’IVOIRE
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES Main Activities • Local integration of Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees • Integration of Liberian refugee children into the Ivorian education system • Repatriation of newly arrived Liberian refugees • Care and Maintenance of urban refugees Targeted Beneficiaries • 60,000 Liberian Refugees • 2,000 Sierra Leonean Refugees • 1,700 Urban Refugees Implementing Agencies SAARA, NGOs, UNV Project Duration January-December 2001 Objectives • Assist the remaining Liberian and Sierra Leonean Refugees to reach an adequate level of socio-economic integration. • Transfer the educational services to the Government to allow a gradual scaling down of UNHCR's involvement. • Facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees • Protect and assist urban refugees Funds Requested US$ 10,404,3465
SUMMARY Local Settlement and Repatriation of Liberian Refugees The cumulative number of refugees who have been repatriated under UNHCR auspices from Côte d’Ivoire since May 1997 is over 70,000. The current population is estimated at 60,000 refugees living in villages throughout the so-called zone d'accueil, in the west and south-west of the country, bordering Liberia.
The last comprehensive refugee registration was carried out in March 1997. The Government of Côte d’Ivoire has requested assistance to conduct a refugee census and UNHCR has agreed to support such an exercise during the first quarter of 2001. The issuance of personal documentation to the refugees, with the necessary improvements, will be resumed at that same time. This census should provide the Government and UNHCR with more reliable figures of the remaining Liberian refugee population as well as their profile. It will serve as a valuable tool to better assess the impact of the refugees on the local social infrastructure and services, and enable UNHCR to better plan and target its interventions for the integration of the refugees and the rehabilitation of the Zone d’accueil.
The data obtained will be complemented by a comprehensive review of the present situation of Liberian refugees in order to assess their level of self-reliance, including their long-term access to cultivated land, other possibilities of gainful employment, sustainability of existing small-scale income generating ventures established with small loans, effectiveness of skills training projects and access to basic social services. This review is essential in order for UNHCR and its partners to better target their interventions. Initial plans foresaw enhancing skills training, crop production, small-scale income-generating projects, providing support to national health services, including pharmaceutical services, at the local level. UNHCR will seek to ensure that national programmes supported by UNICEF and WHO in the health sector cover the refugee Beneficiaries. The small group of Sierra Leonean refugees in the Zone d’accueil will also receive support similar to that provided to Liberian refugees.
One priority area of intervention for the local integration of Liberian refugees will continue to be children’s education. It is expected that the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Interior, UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP for the gradual incorporation of Liberian refugee children into the Ivoirian school system will be signed soon. In conformity with the terms of the MOU, UNHCR will fund a second transition school year for primary- school children who will be taught by Ivoirian teachers. It is expected that all Liberian primary school children will have the opportunity to be integrated into Ivorian schools from September 2001. Part of UNHCR’s financial assistance during the transitional period will be directed at the rehabilitation
5 The approved budget does not include US$ 4,825,576 for the costs of the Regional Director’s office in Abidjan. The approved budget will be reviewed against assessed needs by mid-year.
149 UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATED INTER-AGENCY APPEALS FOR WEST AFRICA and construction of school infrastructure in order to augment the absorption capacity and provide both refugee and Ivoirian children with an adequate learning environment.
Initially, UNHCR had made budgetary provisions for the voluntary repatriation in 2001 of the more recent Liberian arrivals, namely the refugees pertaining to the group of more than 20,000 who fled to Côte d’Ivoire following the September 1998 events in Liberia. However, until recently, particularly those settled in the Nicla camp in the Guiglo area, have shown no desire to return to Liberia. Applicants for voluntary repatriation are refugees belonging to the old caseload principally in Tabou, Grabo, Toulepleu and Blolequin.
Care and Maintenance of Urban Refugees The majority of urban refugees and asylum-seekers in Côte d’Ivoire are from the Great Lakes (Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of Congo). As in previous years, UNHCR will provide, through a national NGO partner, initial basic assistance, counselling, educational and medical assistance, financial assistance to recognised refugees for the obtaining of cartes de séjour, as well as limited support for cultural and recreational activities. Efforts to help the refugees to become gainfully employed or self-employed will be enhanced in co-ordination with the SAARA (Service d’aide et d’assistance aux refugiés et apatrides), especially as regards work permits. The assistance criteria will be refined jointly in conformity with UNHCR’s policy on urban refugees and taking into account the present context in Côte d’Ivoire.
UNHCR will resume discussions on the draft refugee legislation with the new elected authorities and promote its adoption. To this effect UNHCR will seek to sensitise the new members of the National Assembly. Refugee law promotion activities are planned.
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MICRO-PROJECT SUPPORT FOR RESETTLEMENT AND REINTEGRATION (UNDP)
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Project Title Micro-Projects Support for Resettlement and Reintegration Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N42 Sectors Access, Education, Health, WATSAN and Agriculture Objectives To contribute to the revival of communities for resettlement and reintegration, through the restoration of basic social services delivery (in education, health, water and sanitation, economic infrastructure, access) and the restart of local productive activities; and to continue logistical support for humanitarian relief for special cases Targeted Beneficiaries IDPs, Returnees and receiving communities Partners National NGOs in collaboration with CBOs Collaborating Agencies UNICEF, FAO, UNHCR, UNFPA and WFP Project Duration 12 Months Funds Requested US$ 500,000
SUMMARY Since July 1997, UNDP has been providing support for the resettlement and reintegration of the IDPs and returning refugees into communities and rural towns, and villages primarily through the restoration of basic social services, such as, the rehabilitation of 143 schools, the provision of 12,400 pieces of furniture for students and teachers and the rehabilitation of 66 clinics, four hospitals and 10 market buildings. The need to lend further support to some of these communities and to extend assistance to others that have not yet benefited from the programme is greater than the existing resources within UNDP and other agencies. These needs to some extent, overshadowed the gains already made. This is due to the severity of damage inflicted on rural towns and villages by the war.
Given plans by the ECOWAS countries to deploy troops at the troubled borders of the sub-region, it is possible that many more refugees and IDPs will be able to return to their communities which have now been destroyed. According to latest assessments, most of the social infrastructure such as schools and clinics in these areas have either been damaged or looted. The rehabilitation of these will not only serve as a catalyst for their return but also improve the wellbeing of the people who have already been exposed to tremendous suffering.
Strategy/Activities The project will be demand-driven by target beneficiaries, and will follow a community-based approach. CBOs and NGOs will be used for implementation, and through this, a participatory approach will be encouraged, engaging the beneficiaries at all levels. UNDP will collaborate fully with UNICEF, FAO, WHO and other partners providing similar services. For example, UNICEF will provide hand pumps and materials for schools as well as supplies, medicines and clinical equipment for clinics that will be rehabilitated. Similar collaboration with WHO will take place with respect to support to targeted clinics. Main activities will include the facilitation through community participation of the implementation of micro-projects to serve the general interest of beneficiary communities. Capacity building of NGOs and CBOs for sustainability is an important component of the project.
Expected Output 20,000 students re-registered in schools; 49,760 persons in 8,293 rural households gain access to basic health care delivery services; 5,250 persons in 875 rural households gain access to improved market facilities so as to increase their income generation capacities. This will favour women who are generally the marketers; Improved income levels of returnees and IDPs dependent on agriculture through reduction in post-harvest losses.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Personnel and other administration costs 200,000 Sub-contracts – micro projects 300,000 TOTAL 500,000
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L. HIV/AIDS PREVENTION – SUB-REGIONAL
HIV/AIDS
Situation analysis Guinea, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire are facing serious socio-sanitary difficulties due to the civil conflicts mainly in Liberia and Guinea. The displacements of populations within the country, the frequent movements of refugees that flee from the war zones and the cross-border mobility of populations which persists between Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire, are factors that accelerate the propagation of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
It is difficult to assess the exact epidemiological status of the HIV/AIDS prevalence as a result of the unstable situation in Liberia and Guinea. Nevertheless, the refugees and internally displaced populations in the three countries live in a precarious situation characterised by vulnerability and risk of STIs and HIV/AIDS. This situation is further characterised by:
• Sexual violence and rapes of minors and adult women • High prevalence of STIs • Frequent disruption of drug stocks • Undesirable pregnancy and children born of unknown father • Difficult access to condoms • Commercial sex work involving young girls
An HIV/AIDS situation analysis in the concerned countries should enable the improvement of their AIDS control programmes.
Côte d’Ivoire Côte d’Ivoire is the most highly HIV/AIDS affected country in Western Africa. According to UNAIDS/WHO (June 2000), the HIV-prevalence rate in adults is 10.76%. In Abidjan, this rate amounts to 16%. Some 760,000 adults and children in the country live with HIV/AIDS.
In 1994-95, nearly 70% of commercial sex workers who undertook an HIV test were found positive. The 20-24 years age group of young women visiting ante-natal clinics (in 1997) was the most affected with 12% of positive tests.
The economic impact of HIV/AIDS is particularly felt in rural areas where the need to care for the ill can lead to a change in the agricultural production system.
The AIDS-related mortality leads also to a discontinuity of education. In order to strengthen the AIDS programmes, important investments of the order of 2 to 3.5 dollars per capita, or 0,5% of the GDP, are needed.
The western part of Côte d’Ivoire is a region which accommodates refugees from Liberia. Since 1995, all this region with its high concentration of refugees has become an operational military zone by presidential decree. The HIV prevalence rate among men of uniform is 16.50%.
Quite a number of migrants live in this region known for its agricultural production, and they easily integrate the local population. Some of the towns in this region have seen a population increase of up to 50%. In 1995, a joint study by NACP/WHO in the health centre of Guiglo (a city in the west) has shown an IST prevalence rate of 87% in Liberian refugee women.
Guinea According to UNAIDS/WHO, the HIV prevalence rate in Guinea is estimated at 1.54% among adults. The estimated number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS is 55,000, of which 29,000 are women.
A survey conducted among sex workers in 1996 show a high prevalence rate of 36%. According to UNHCR, the number of refugees living in Guinean territory is around 420.000, of which 300.000 from Sierra Leone and 120,000 are from Liberia.
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To date, Guinea is the theatre of combats leading to the dispersal of refugees and resident populations; we are now faced with an extreme urgent situation there.
Liberia According to UNAIDS/WHO, the number of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at 39.000 at the end of 1999; the number of affected women between 15 and 49 years of age was estimated at 21,000. The HIV-prevalence rate in adults amounted to 2.8%. The number of children who have lost their mothers or both parents due to HIV/AIDS at the age of 14 or before since the beginning of the epidemic was estimated at 31,000.
Liberia is a post conflict country, but there is nevertheless a continuous cross-border movement of its population, creating an emergency situation. Years of war have promoted the spread of HIV/AIDS to an extent which is not yet known. It is important to proceed with epidemiological surveys and a situation analysis while at the same time expanding interventions to fight the spread of STIs and HIV/AIDS. The displaced refugee population which has returned to Liberia amounts to some 140,000 persons.
Combined Competencies and capacities of UN agencies In order to address the problem of HIV/AIDS in the sub-region and in these conflict stricken countries UN agencies and their partners need to work closely together and collaborate in tackling the various aspects, while at the same time addressing the needs of affected and vulnerable groups . Responding to the threat of HIV/AIDS in emergency situations fits squarely with UNICEF’s mandate to protect the fundamental rights of women and children. Indeed, these groups are among the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, especially in the context of emergencies. UNICEF possesses proven skills in communication and advocacy as well as an established field presence in Southern and Eastern Provinces and the Western Area. While UNICEF’s programmes seek to promote a cultural, social and political environment that protect the rights of women and children, the organisation is also experienced in promoting behaviour change – especially among youth, adolescents.
For its part, WHO, is leading the IASC reference sub-working group on HIV/AIDS in emergencies, which has been tasked to recommend specific actions addressing HIV/AIDS in complex emergencies and in particular in Africa, is currently piloting essential minimum packages of interventions. WHO, in addition to contributing to UNAIDS programmes, has experience and resources in relation to drugs, communicable diseases, blood transfusion, HIV testing and STI management. It also has a regional strategy for improving the health system’s response to HIV/AIDS/STI. It will therefore provide support for capacity building of the health staff in surveillance and case management and provide testing and specialised drugs.
FAO has access to farmers throughout the country and therefore an established outlet for reaching out to one of the most economically productive groups of the population. UNFPA is involved in reproductive health activities and the promotion of condom use among the sexually active population.
As the main advocate for global action on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS leads, strengthens and supports an expanded response aimed at preventing the transmission of HIV, providing care and support, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS, and alleviating the impact of the epidemic. The UNAIDS Inter-Country Team for West and Central Africa (UNAIDS ICT/WCA) aims to strengthen regional and inter-country dynamics by supporting existing networks and initiatives, and to stimulate and facilitate the development of exchange and collaboration mechanisms. One of the priority areas of the Inter-Country Team is the fight of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in emergency situations.
Main Objective Reduce the vulnerability and risk of the HIV progressions among countries in emergency situations.
Specific objectives • Reduce the HIV transmission among refugees, internally displaced and affected populations in conflict areas with special emphasis on children, youth, women and rural population; • Set up HIV/AIDS prevention activities among these target groups and strengthen detection and management mechanisms; • Undertake advocacy, coordination, follow-up and evaluation of programmes.
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Strategies 1- Prevention of HIV/AIDS/IST among children by increasing awareness and knowledge Activities • Establishing discussion forum and centres for children and adolescents in camps and in schools where applicable • Providing relevant educational information material on HIV/AIDS( to schools where possible or to assigned health or social workers in camps) • Training peer educators among these adolescents, social and /or health and teachers • Training parents on IST/IHIV/AIDS • Elaborating IST/HIV/AIDS modules for educational health programmes
2- Care of orphans Activities • Establishing support and care activities for orphans of HIV/AIDS • Strengthening the extended family networks for support
3- Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) Activities • Training health professionals on MTCT • Sensitising women and partners on MTCT • Establishing a voluntary testing in ante-natal consultations and follow-up
4- Promotion of a behavioral change Activities • Promoting and supplying female and male condoms • Organising a sensitisation campaign
5- Empowering women Activities • Training women in income generating activities • Producing women sensitive reproductive health promotion • Analyse impact of various forms of violence including sexual violence and encourage possible ways to address these issues
6- Reinforcing institutional capacity Activities • Strengthening health, reproductive and family planning centres • Assessing and strengthening health information systems related to HIV/AIDS • Training health workers on STI/HIV/AIDS case detection, treatment and management.
7- Reinforce the capacities of actors involved in the situation analysis, advocacy, coordination and evaluation. Activities • Conducting situation analysis in each country • Disseminating the results of the situation analysis of the three countries • Promoting inter-country collaboration • Through advocacy; sensitising political, religious and community leaders on the HIV/AIDS impact in each country • Ensuring the coordination of actions at regional level • Developing tools of supervision and results of indicators • Undertaking regular evaluations for better and efficient interventions
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HIV/AIDS PREVENTION
Appealing Agencies UNICEF/FAO/UNFPA/WHO/UNAIDS ICT/WCA Project Title Reduction of Vulnerability and Risk of HIV/AIDS Project Code WA-01-1/N43A-E Sector Multi-sector Themes AIDS care, prevention, MTCT; youth; gender, refugees, IDPs, rural communities Objectives • Prevention of HIV/AIDS/IST among children • Care of orphans • Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) • Promotion of a behavioral change • Empowering women • Reinforcing institutional capacities • Reinforce the capacities of actors involved in the situation analysis, advocacy, coordination and evaluation. Targeted Beneficiaries Estimated at 3 million population, of which 800,000 are refugees and displaced persons Partners Government ministries and NGOs Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested Total: US$ 5,306,800
UNICEF: US$ 1,764,000 WHO: US$ 1,772,800 FAO: US$ 480,000 UNFPA: US$ 840,000 UNAIDS ICT/WCA: US$ 450,000
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items Countries Total UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire Guinea Liberia US$ US$ US$ US$ Establishment of consolation, meeting 100,000 100,000 100,000 300,000 and discussion centres for children and adolescents Supplies of information material on 40,000 40,000 40,000 120,000 HIV/AIDS/STIs (to schools/ camps) Training of peer educators among 60,000 60,000 60,000 180,000 adolescents and teachers Train’ parents on STIs/HIV/AIDS 60,000 60,000 60,000 180,000 Development of HIV/AIDS/STIs 40,000 40,000 40,000 120,000 modules for the health education programmes Establishment of anti-AIDS clubs in 30,000 30,000 30,000 90,000 schools and in places frequented by out of school youth Start up of support and care activities 50,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 for orphans Training of health sector staff on the 50,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 concept of prevention of mother-to- child transmission Awareness-building of groups of 50,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 women and their partner Establishment of voluntary testing in 80,000 80,000 80,000 240,000 ante-natal visits HQ indirect programme support 28,000 28,000 28,000 84,000 Sub-total 588,000 588,000 588,000 1,764,000
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WHO Supplies of HIV-screening tests to 100,000 100,000 100,000 300,000 transfusion centres Establishment of VCT centres 80,000 90,000 90,000 260,000 Training of health sector staff in 50,000 60,000 60,000 170,000 treatment of STIs/HIV/AIDS Assessment of health information 40,000 40,000 40,000 120,000 systems related to HIV/AIDS and strengthening them Supplies of IST kits and essential 50,000 60,000 60,000 170,000 drugs for opportunistic affections Awareness-building of communities 50,000 60,000 60,000 170,000 Printing and dissemination of IEC 50,000 60,000 60,000 170,000 support material Vehicles, maintenance, fuel, field 50,000 60,000 60,000 170,000 missions Coordination, management and 47,000 53,000 53,000 153,000 reporting Programme support costs(6%) 26,200 31,800 31,800 89,800 Sub-total 543,200 614,800 614,800 1,772,800
FAO Establishment of HIV/AIDS/STIs 50,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 programmes on local radio stations Planning of ambulatory HIV/AIDS 50,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 prevention campaigns in villages Training of peer educators in 60,000 60,000 60,000 180,000 agricultural cooperatives Sub-total 160,000 160,000 160,000 480,000
UNFPA Promote and supplies of male and 100,000 100,000 100,000 300,000 female condoms Strengthening of RH and family 80,000 80,000 80,000 240,000 planning centres in rural areas Training of women in income 100,000 100,000 100,000 300,000 generation activities Sub-total 280,000 280,000 280,000 840,000
UNAIDS ICT/WCA Situation analysis 50,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 Advocacy 20,000 20,000 20,000 60,000 Coordination 30,000 30,000 30,000 90,000 Monitoring and Evaluation 50,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 Sub-total 150,000 150,000 150,000 450,000 TOTAL 1,721,200 1,792,800 1,792,800 5, 306,800
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M. SECURITY
Situation Analysis The security situation in the sub-region has become increasingly unacceptable. Unfavourable security conditions not only threaten the lives of aid workers, but also that of beneficiaries. It complicates and limits service delivery to war-affected populations and keeps impact of limited interventions at the barest minimum due to lack of sustainability. The effective implementation of the UN Agencies Common Humanitarian Action Plan is heavily dependent on the existence of a more favourable and sustainable security environment both for the aid workers and for their beneficiaries.
Due to heavy militarisation of Southeast Guinea, a sharp increase of armed elements in the refugee camps (e.g. Nyaedou and Massakoundou) has been witnessed. Of particular concern are some 135,000 refugees and 70,000 IDPs in the « Languette area » who, due to lack of regular access and assistance by humanitarian workers, are facing great hardship and permanent threats to their security. Furthermore, the refugees have been perceived as the main cause of the security problems. Consequently, an atmosphere of mistrust and hostile reactions from the authorities and the local population towards them has been evident.
In view of the above, the moving of refugees away from high-risk areas and the establishment of refugee camps with a civilian character are considered as a priority. A security package along the lines of the Tanzanian refugee camp model is being considered. Interested governments may be approached to second humanitarian security officers to assist with customising a package, which is appropriate to the specific situation of Guinea.
In addition to UNHCR’s efforts to ensure that refugees are able to reach safe areas through internal relocation, the idea of establishing humanitarian corridors from Gueckedou and Forecariah into Government-controlled areas in Sierra Leone is being discussed. The option of a humanitarian corridor for the purpose of voluntary repatriation of Liberian refugees may also require due consideration.
Increased importance is given to staff security. UNHCR and other actors have to reconcile the prerogative for meeting humanitarian needs with that of safety for their staff. In order to have a meaningful operation, UNHCR and its partners need some minimum capacity and field presence. Qualified security officers need to assess and implement adequate security measures in a flexible manner reflecting the developments on the ground.
The situation is similar for IDPs and other vulnerable groups who equally face constant danger of attacks, and who are often denied humanitarian aid due to lack of access to relief workers. The UN systems in each of the countries concerned are working towards reinforcing their field security arrangements to improve the quality of security information and services available to facilitate their work. A sub-regional security strategy is also being developed and appropriate mechanisms will be put in place to respond to the region’s security concerns. Meanwhile, Agencies will continue to intensify advocacy efforts for promotion of humanitarian principles, human rights and international humanitarian law.
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GUINEA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Project Title Reinforcing UN Security System Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N44 Sector Security Themes Access; Human Rights Objectives To augment and reinforce security for all UN agencies in Guinea; to coordinate inter-agency information and security activities; to update the regional security system; to plan and organise a possible evacuation Targeted Beneficiaries Approximately 500 in the UN system and its partners Partners UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP Project Duration March – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 281,300
SUMMARY The situation in Guinea has become increasingly volatile over the past few months. The southwestern region of Guekedou, Languette (security phase four) and Kissidougou (security phase three), where approximately 150 UN staff and partners work, is especially a concern to the Security Management Team (SMT). In this region, there are approximately 1,000 untrained Guinean soldiers mixing with 400,000 refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and UN humanitarian workers.
In addition, there are approximately 2,000 to 5,000 aggressors (RUF, Ulimo-k, Kamajor and Liberian/Guinean rebels) just over the border in Sierra Leone. No more than 20 kilometers separate these aggressors from UN staff and partners. Given the increasingly precarious situation today in Guinea, it is essential that the UN reinforce its security so as to ensure the safety of its humanitarian workers. If security cannot be enhanced, the SMT fears that UN staff and partners could be put at risk.
Under this project, the Field Security Officer will therefore augment and reinforce security for all UN agencies in Guinea; coordinate interagency information and security activities; update the regional security system; and plan and organise a possible evacuation. The FSO will continue to work in collaboration with the 5 security officers already stationed in Guinea under UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP.
Outputs • Increased safety for approximately 500 UN and NGO staff in Guinea • More coordinated weekly information reports and activities • Updated radio equipment for the region • An improved evacuation strategy that will also include maritime exit as well as air and land exits. This is especially important since Conakry is located on a peninsula
Activities • Hire a Field Security Assistant (FSA) who can cover for the FSO during his absence from Conakry and who will be an alternative to accompany UN staff called to the field • Hire an international radio specialist (UNV) who will manage and run sophisticated equipment with maximum confidentiality • Hire a driver and interpreter for the assistant • Supply a weekly situation report and recommendations on security • Maintain a permanent radio transmission network among the main security office in Conakry and the security units in the field • Establish and improve security plans for the zones where staff are working • Maintain links with local authorities and security forces • Maintain permanent readiness to organise and manage a potential evacuation via land, sea or air.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$) Personnel and transportation Deputy Security Officer 150,000 International Radio Specialist 37,000 Driver, interpreter 5,000 Missions and trips 25,000 Transmission Equipment 1 Sat phone 4,000 3 Handsets 3,000 2 GPS 300 Desktop computer and printer 2,000 Portable computer 2,000 3 Zodiac boats (each with 7 seats, 40CV motor and 21 lifejackets) 25,000 Radio transmission equipped vehicle 28,000 TOTAL 281,300
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N. SHELTER AND NON-FOOD ASSISTANCE
Situation analysis Shelter remains a critical determinant of survival in any emergency situation, particularly at the initial stages. Beyond survival, shelter is necessary to enhance resistance to disease and provides protection from the environment. This is a primary priority to control the current massive and autonomous patterns of population displacement and reduce the potential for the spread of communicable diseases. In Sierra Leone, the needs continue to rise exponentially. This applies both to temporary shelter for IDPs and returnees and to permanent shelter for those returning to their communities in the areas recently declared safe by the government. UNDP has requested funds under the framework of the Sierra Leone CAP to address such needs. In Liberia, there continues to be a significant gap in the provision of shelter for communities receiving IDPs and returnees and for the newly displaced. UNDP, under its reintegration programme, has initiated some modest programmes but needs additional resources urgently in order to make an impact.
The recent attacks in Guinea have displaced up to 150,000 Guineans, mostly women and children. These innocent civilians have had to abandon their homes and properties in a desperate search for safety and security. Most have taken refuge with relatives of friends, in already overcrowded homes, or are occupying public buildings, such as school or abandoned buildings, where conditions are unfit for human survival. Female-headed households and unaccompanied elderly people are the most vulnerable and destitute. The need for temporary shelter assistance in the affected areas is therefore considerable. Recent access to the forest region by humanitarian agencies for instance, has revealed the squalid conditions in which the IDPs exist.
In most affected areas in Guinea, particularly those hosting both refugees and IDPs, reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction will be impossible in the short-term and will, therefore, require longer- term initiatives. Emergency shelter assistance, including non-food items will need to be provided to them. Urgently needed are plastic sheeting, locally produced woven palm leaf sheets for temporary shelter, water containers, cooking utensils, soap, mosquito nets and straw mats. In Liberia, interventions in the sector will focus on rehabilitating existing structures to enable the resettlement of IDPs and returning refugees. In Sierra Leone, a dual approach is currently being undertaken, to address temporary as well as semi-permanent cases.
Priorities • Ensure all IDPs have access to suitable temporary shelter with particular attention to the most vulnerable. • Provide protection and safe relocation for IDPs if they need to evacuate. • Address basic needs by preparing for safe returns and /or resettlement. • Ensure all IDPs have access to basic non-food items to meet their humanitarian needs through a well defined distribution system that gives priority to the needs of female- headed households, unaccompanied elderly and other vulnerable groups.
Competencies and capacities The relevant Governments, UNDP, IOM, UNHCR, ARC, ICRC, and GTZ, as well as a number of other NGOs are all contributing to the provision of shelter and non-food items to affected people and communities in all the countries concerned. The UN Agencies will work closely with these partners in executing the projects presented under the sub-regional appeal.
Objectives • Provide emergency temporary shelter and non-food items to all vulnerable IDPs in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone; • Reduce the potential for the spread of diseases by improving the living conditions of affected populations; • Provide rehabilitation and reconstruction materials to communities receiving IDPs and refugee returnees; • Provide non-food items to facilitate the integration of IDPs within host communities; • Increase the quality and level of access by IDPs to basic services (water supply, health, education, vocational training, etc.).
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GUINEA
Appealing Agency INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION Project Title Supplementary emergency shelter assistance Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N45 Sector Shelter and Non-Food Items Theme IDPs Objectives To contribute to national and regional population stabilisation; to provide supplemental emergency shelter assistance to IDPs in temporary settlements; to provide permanent basic shelter rehabilitation materials for IDPs upon their return home. Targeted Beneficiaries Approximately 50,000 IDPs in and along the host prefectures of Dabola, Kissidougou and Faranah. The same IDP’s returning to prefectures of Kissidougou, Macenta and areas in and along the Parrot’s Beak/Languette region. Partners UNDP, UNHCR and other UN agencies; international and local NGOs, national and local government authorities. Project Duration April – December 2001 Funds Requested US$ 1,297,500
SUMMARY Since the September and December 2000 border attacks from Sierra Leone and Liberia, some 150,000 Guinean nationals have been displaced within their own country. Heavy fighting and resulting populace flight continues. A substantial number of IDPs have sought safer havens, primarily in the homes of friends and extended family members in and around the prefectures of Kissidougou, Faranah and Dabola. The sudden influx of IDPs is straining the accommodation capacity of the receiving households. Extension and/or reinforcement of hosting households will help ameliorate this condition, create a healthier living environment, and reduce the potential for tension between hosting families and the IDPs.
Once security conditions improve in the home regions of IDPs, it is expected that most IDPs will want to return. However, most will find that their houses have been destroyed or damaged. While some international agencies such as ICRC have distributed non-food items in the past, there is no existing coordinated, large-scale effort to assess and meet the shelter needs of IDPs.
This project attempts to stabilise irregular migration flows through a two pronged approach. The main objective of the first stage is for IOM and its partners to provide basic shelter materials such as plastic sheeting and roofing shingles to IDPs in and around the targeted areas. Hosting families, and therefore the communities, will benefit from this distribution of temporary shelter materials. Houses will become less crowded and more conducive to healthy living conditions. The main objective of the second stage is for IOM and its partners to provide IDPs with more permanent shelter rehabilitation materials upon their return to their home communities. Such materials will consist of locally procured cement and wood. IOM will hire and supervise local villagers for the construction activities.
IOM will cooperate closely with the ICRC to better assess the numbers, locations and housing situation of IDPs in the target areas. In addition, IOM will cooperate closely in Dabola prefecture with the NGO Africare in order to benefit from Africare’s on-going IDP population surveys. IOM will collaborate with the Government of the Republic of Guinea through the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Bureau for Coordination of Refugees (BNCR) and local government authorities.
Output • Approximately 10,000 IDP host households reinforced with temporary shelter material in and around the prefectures of Dabola, Kissidougou, and Faranah. • Approximately 10,000 semi-permanent shelters in areas of IDP return • Equipment and technology donated to the established government at the end of the project
Activity • Gather and share information with partners, aid agencies and governmental bodies on the locations, numbers and living conditions of IDPs in the targeted areas • Distribute temporary and permanent shelter-building materials
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• Supervise the building and repairing of host households • Supervise the building and repairing of IDP houses upon their return to their own communities • Monitor activities and provide financial management and reporting • Select and train community members to engage in all shelter activities
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ International Staff 126,000 2 local experts 54,000 10 national assistants (10 x US$ 300 x 9 months) 27,000 16 national community workers (16 x US$ 500 x 9 months) 72,000 4 batches of training sessions 15,000 Office supplies and maintenance 37,500 Vehicle/Transport and maintenance 34,500 Plastic sheeting 112,500 Roof shingles 187,500 Cement 150,000 GI sheet roofing 172,500 Pre-fab skeleton structure 262,500 Technical shelter material equipment 15,000 Administrative and operational support 31,500 TOTAL 1,297,500
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Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Project Title Emergency reconstruction of Housing Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N46 Sector Family Shelter Theme Protection, Security, Human Rights Objective To provide decent housing conditions to returnees, IDPs and their hosts Targeted Beneficiaries 3,000 returnees and host families in the Kankan and Forecariah Regions Partners UNV, the private sector, UNESCO, UNHCR Project Duration 12 Months Funds Requested US$ 567,500
SUMMARY Housing is one of the sectors most severely hit by the crisis that has been unfolding in the southern border region of Guinea since September 2000. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) numbering 150,000 have lost everything, from crops, food reserves, seeds, clothing to their homes, due to the scorched earth policy implemented by the rebels. Hundreds of houses have been burnt down sometimes with the occupants still inside. Localities such as Pamelap, Madina-Oula and Gueckedou have been completely destroyed. Many IDPs are being accommodated in overcrowded households, which has raised a number of health and sanitation concerns.
Under this project, UNDP’s objective is to provide decent housing conditions to returnees, IDPs and host families, thereby decreasing the risk of health, sanitation and social problems. The target beneficiaries are 3,000 IDPs, host families and if and when feasible with returnees. UNDP will collaborate with IOM and UNHCR to ensure proper coordination with respect to refugee and IDP populations. In addition, UNDP will work with UNICEF to ensure proper sanitation equipment for the shelters
Output • 500 houses for 3,000 IDPs • 250 hosting households enlarged and equipped with sanitation facilities • A better life for 3,000 IDPs
Activities • Launch a pilot reconstruction operation in places of origin where IDPs are willing to return • Assist hosting households in extending their accommodation facilities • Promote the use of local housing material. • Hire IDPs and their hosts as unqualified labourers • Hire 3 national and 1 national UNV civil engineer
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ International and national UNVs (civil engineers) 120,000 1 international UNV (to be approved within the project proposal for peace, education and human rights) Specialised labour @ US$ 50 per house reconstructed/extended) 37,500 Construction material @ US$ 500 per house 375,000 Equipment (4 motorbikes) 10,000 Operation 25,000 TOTAL 567,500
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LIBERIA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Project Title Support for Community-Based Shelter Reconstruction for Resettlement and Reintegration of War-Affected IDPs, Returnees and Host Communities. Project Code WA/LIB-01-1/N47 Sector Family Shelter Themes Gender, IDPs, Security Objective To facilitate resettlement and reintegration of returnees and IDPs through provision of basic shelter materials and skills development for the reconstruction of war-affected communities. Targeted Beneficiaries Vulnerable households in host communities, returnees and IDPs Project Areas Nimba and Lofa Counties Partners Government, Local NGOs/CBOs, National Habitat Secretariat Executing Agency UNCHS-HABITAT Project Duration 12 Months Funds Requested US$ 320,000
SUMMARY Housing and basic community infrastructure and rural settlements were extensively damaged in many towns and villages during the civil war in Liberia. This is compounded by the severely weakened institutional capacity at all levels and inadequate human resources. The ongoing Reconstruction and Rural Housing programme has demonstrated a process of rehabilitation and reconstruction of towns and villages destroyed by the war through effective community participation, with improvements in the transfer of technology to facilitate production of local building materials for the reconstruction of housing and basic infrastructure services. These achievements are now being replicated in other counties.
Recent fighting in the northern border region between government forces and rebels has caused displacement of up to 20,000 IDPs or more in the these areas, as well as a number of refugee returnees who are relocating to safer locations in Lofa county. This has created a strain on the already inadequate facilities in the host communities. There is urgent need to strengthen the capacity for provision of shelter for the arriving populations and to assist the host communities to absorb the increase in population.
The most affected by the insurgency activities are mainly vulnerable groups in Lofa and Nimba counties. This project targets about 80,000 IDPs and returnees for shelter and NFI assistance, as well as their host communities in the accessible parts of the affected areas. Priority will be given in particular, to women and children victims of conflict.
This project is designed to complement the overall reconstruction programme. Support is requested in line with UNDP’s focus for the year – to contribute towards strengthening institutional capacities and the reconstruction of social infrastructure at the grassroots level; resettle and reintegrate IDPs and returnees and to empower vulnerable populations through sustainable livelihood programmes. Primary focus of this project is to satisfy the critical need for shelter for those most affected by the recent conflicts. Activities will include provision of shelter materials for reconstruction and skills training for local production of material.
Key Outputs • Basic shelter assistance provided to at least 20,000 IDPs and returnees in war affected areas; • Four community-based building materials production and training centres established in Lofa county; • Vocational skills training in building construction trades provided for IDPs and returnees.
Main Activities • Identify and train 5,000 IDPs in local building materials production and appropriate construction technology; • Establish four community-based building materials production and training centres; • Establish shelter reconstruction management committees in host communities;
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• Assist IDPs to set up small scale enterprises for production and marketing of construction materials; • Provide building material kits to beneficiaries.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Personnel costs 75,000 Training 50,000 Establishment of training centres 60,000 Shelter materials 95,000 Vehicles/motorcycles 40,000 TOTAL 320,000
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O. WATER AND SANITATION
Situation Analysis The lack of safe water supply and poor environmental sanitation has contributed enormously to high morbidity and mortality rates among children and vulnerable populations in the sub-region. Increased population movements into communities have placed a significant strain on already overburdened water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. The situation also encourages the transmission of communicable diseases, increases the probability of outbreaks of diseases due to poor sanitation practices, poor personal hygiene, and the pollution of water sources. Vulnerable populations, in some circumstances, also have reduced access to any form of water since conflicts prevent people from going to water sources. Lack of safe access for humanitarian agencies has also meant that water trucking to rural areas is difficult while basic supplies for clean water sources, such as purification materials, are limited. Less than 40% of the population in the sub-region has access to safe drinking water and much less to adequate sanitation. Although UNICEF presented a WATSAN project in the Sierra Leonean Appeal, aimed at meeting the needs of IDPs and host communities there, the constant influx of refugee returnees from Guinea has sharply increased those needs. A complementary project is therefore submitted in this Appeal to address the additional needs.
Priorities Although no epidemics of water-borne diseases have yet been reported, the risk of diseases outbreak is high. Of particular concern is the increased potential for epidemics of water-borne diseases such as cholera and shigellosis. Additionally, the link between poor sanitation and poor health and nutrition will have to be addressed. Stagnant water is an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes. Vector control programmes will therefore be essential, particularly in camp situations where stagnant water and poor sanitation very often are major precursors of malaria. Women and children will be provided with hygiene education; and a clean sanitary environment through implementation of effective garbage removal, vector control and proper management of contaminated water. Delivering of adequate clean water and appropriate sanitation facilities to the affected populations will reduce their vulnerability to disease. Particular emphasis will be given to addressing the need for refugees and IDPs in camps, while ensuring that the host communities also have adequate facilities.
Competencies and capacities UNICEF and UNHCR collaborate together with the relevant government Ministries, national and international NGOs in providing clean water facilities for displaced populations (refugees and IDPs) and their host communities through rehabilitation of existing systems and/or establishment of new facilities. While construction of wells has been common practice in the interventions, the process is long (45 days) and only possible in the dry season due to high water tables during the rainy season. In contrast, a borehole can be drilled and equipped with a hand pump in three to five days, enabling a more effective response to emergency needs as well as an opportunity to expand access at a more rapid rate. The existing capacity for drilling rigs is very limited in the region despite the worsening conditions. In all the countries, the relevant government Ministries in these countries lack the financial and trained human resources to address the problem. The Ministries of Health and Sanitation also face difficulties in the management of solid waste in the urban centres. There is, therefore, a crucial need to build national response capacities in the four countries, in order to coordinate the resources and activities of agencies to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.
Strategy A community-based approach will be adopted to ensure ownership of the facilities, especially after the resettlement and reintegration of the displaced people (refugees and IDPs). Construction of family VIP latrines will be encouraged in addition to community latrines. Community members will be trained in the maintenance and repair of the water and sanitation facilities, in particular the hand pumps. Committees will be established for the management of the facilities, comprising community members, IDPs and returnees. Wide-ranging community awareness campaigns, focusing on hygiene and sanitation practices, will be supported in camps and within communities reaching all vulnerable groups. WHO and UNICEF will link the water and sanitation interventions to the sub-regional health information and surveillance systems support.
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Operational objectives 1. Increase of quantity and quality of water to refugees, returnees, IDPs and their host communities; 2. Provision of adequate sanitation facilities, in particular, proper excreta and refuse disposal; 3. Establishment of a rapid response mechanism to ensure availability of safe water and sanitation measures, hygiene education, early detection of disease and infection cases through surveillance; 4. Promotion of hygiene education, water quality control and sanitation measures in the event of an outbreak of diseases.
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GUINEA
Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Emergency water and sanitation Project Code WA/GUI-01-1/N48 Sector Water and Sanitation Themes Refugees, IDPs and Host Communities Objectives To ensure access to safe water and sanitation systems especially for children and women; to ensure that women and children are sensitised to follow safe hygiene practices Targeted Beneficiaries Approximately 400,000 refugees, IDPs and host populations in the conflict regions Partners Ministry of Energy and Water, UNHCR, ODIC, KIAM, ACF Project Duration 12 months Funds Requested US$ 1,865,000
SUMMARY Delivering adequate clean water and appropriate sanitation facilities to the affected populations will reduce their vulnerability to disease. Particular emphasis will be given to addressing the needs of displaced people (refugees and IDPs) in camps, but also ensuring that the host communities have adequate facilities to cope with the influx of refugees, IDPs and returnees.
Rapid assessments were conducted in January and February monitoring the condition of access to drinking water and to basic sanitation. This assessment highlighted areas with a high risk of cholera and water-borne diseases. It also revealed a need for the following: new water points; rehabilitation of existing water points; latrines; and hygiene sensitisation campaigns. UNICEF will survey all existing and functional drinking water sources and determine their availability/quality and monitor the situation thereafter providing regular up-dates. Collaboration with local authorities, NGOs and all parties responsible for water and sanitation will be reinforced to determine required emergency interventions and ensure a minimum safe water supply to the affected populations. Activities UNICEF will support rehabilitation of existing safe water sources to ensure standard norms in an emergency situation. In this order UNICEF will support the: • Rehabilitation of 1,000 existing water points in the selected areas. • Provision of water quality testing kits, chlorine and purification tablets. • Building of 5,500 latrines where required (IDP, host communities and refugees). Local people will be trained to build pit latrines in an effort to mobilise the community towards ownership and safe hygienic practices. • Conducting mass information and sensitisation campaigns on good hygiene practices in collaboration with Communication and Social Mobilisation activities. Several messages and information on safe water, sanitation and hygiene will be prepared and disseminated.
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Drilling of 150 new water points and boreholes (schools, sanitary structures of basis, out of 900,000 place communities and refugees) Establishment of water point in 4 news refugee camps (Kindia, Dabola, Massakoundou 150,000 and Albadariah) and of Bissikrima Centre Construction of 25 cisterns for pluvial water in islands of Forecariah 25,000 Monitoring, testing water quality, training 50,000 Rehabilitation of 500 existing water points – treatment of 1,000 water points, equipping 50 150,000 water points Construction of 5,000 domestic latrines and 500 public latrines (schools, sanitary structures of basis, places of cults, markets, families refugees, internally displaced persons and host 320,000 communities) IEC with the rural broadcast and Communal broadcast, services of health (the CDD – Struggle against the diarrhoea diseases – and the Public hygiene) in schools and 30,000 communities Technical support, implementation, operations and security 150,000 Indirect programme support 90,000 TOTAL 1,865,000
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SIERRA LEONE Appealing Agency UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND Project Title Water and Environmental Sanitation Project Code WA/SIL-01-1/N49 Sector Water and Environmental Sanitation Themes Sanitation, Potable Water, IDPs, returning refugees Objectives 1. To complement existing programmes in ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation for 77,500 residents of communities participating in the UNHCR relocation programme nation-wide, hosting 40,000 returning refugees, and 20,000 returning refugees/IDPs in two new camps. 2. To strengthen emergency response capacity for the sector to respond to population movements and cholera outbreaks. Targeted Beneficiaries (total & description) 97,500 displaced persons or returning refugees Partners Water Supply Division, MEP, MHS, NGOs, private contractors, Community-based Organisations Project Duration One year (Additional) Funds Requested US$ 1,002,500
SUMMARY In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Power, UNICEF continues to be the point of reference for agencies conducting WATSAN programmes in Sierra Leone and has been instrumental in coordinating the sector response, particularly to new emergency requirements. Existing WATSAN agencies’ ability to address current and new emergency situations, in addition to ongoing programmes, is limited. The immediate needs of only 10,000 persons can be met in the event of a humanitarian catastrophe. Some 147,000 persons are currently receiving WATSAN assistance delivered in 18 IDP camps nation-wide by four international agencies, with assistance from UNICEF.
Following developments in Guinea particularly, but also in anticipation of the possibility of gaining access to populations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces together with returnees from Liberia, UNICEF intends to address the WATSAN requirements of these new most needy of populations.
UNICEF plans to provide water and sanitation facilities, accompanied by hygiene education, to urgently meet the needs of some 77,500 persons resident in communities selected to participate in the UNHCR relocation programme that already hosts 17,000 returnees in the Lungi Peninsula. An additional 11,000 returnees have been identified to participate in this area of the programme. UNICEF will provide a water and sanitation/HE intervention for a further 18,000 persons resident in participating communities elsewhere in Sierra Leone. Furthermore, in the event of a large-scale migration of population from Guinea and/or Liberia elsewhere in Sierra Leone, UNICEF proposes to respond by providing the water and sanitation requirements for two new displaced camps of 10,000 persons each.
UNICEF is already currently involved in the UNHCR relocation programme in Lungi to address the requirements of some 17,000 returnees residing with 32,000 host population, comprised of residents and IDPs. The programme strategy has been to provide the minimum water and sanitation facilities for the host population, a dramatic improvement in most cases where zero WATSAN infrastructure is present, given that the returnee population will be resettled in the future.
UNICEF interventions will include construction of pit latrines, large diameter wells and rehabilitation/protection of existing water sources. UNICEF support to a new camp will be based on a pumped, treated and gravity-fed water supply system with sanitation facilities designed to last at least 12 months. Chlorination of water sources and training of well-owners and Blue Flag Volunteers will be implemented during cholera season to prevent outbreaks. This is particularly important given the close proximity of the returnee population to endemic areas (Kambia District and the Western Area). Support will also be provided for regular evacuation of IDP camp latrines and for trucking of water in emergency situations. A programme for regular collection of refuse will be undertaken through the use of youth groups. Hygiene education will be provided in schools and communities to promote healthy life styles and optimal utilisation of the facilities. Capacities of service providers will be strengthened to effectively respond to emergencies.
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Outputs Based on the existing programme of communities hosting returning refugees in the Lungi Peninsula, an average village receiving repatriated populations will require 2 new wells and 1 rehabilitated well, and sanitation facilities to meet the requirements of the average host population of 1,200 persons at 50 persons per post. Given that the situation continues to deteriorate further in Guinea, and the anticipated returnee population is expected to increase, this programme will expand to receive a further 11,000 repatriated persons and replicated elsewhere in Sierra Leone to reinforce structures to receive a further 12,000 returnees. The additional outputs of this expansion will be 50 new water points, 25 rehabilitated wells and 600 latrine posts
In addition, UNICEF will work with other partners in the sector to establish an emergency response capacity for water storage, treatment and distribution in response to abrupt new large-scale migrations. This entails UNICEF expanding its emergency response capacity by an additional 10,000 persons in one new displaced camp in Sierra Leone.
These activities will be strengthened by training for hand pump caretakers, Village Development Committee members and Blue Flag Volunteers to ensure maintenance and good hygiene practices.
Additional Beneficiary Population The evolving situation in Guinea, a non-existent absorption capacity in camps and the lack of WATSAN capacity in Sierra Leone has required UNICEF to redress its contribution to the nation-wide emergency response. As a result, in addition to planned programme and emergency response activities, UNICEF intends to respond to an increased caseload of 30,000 resident persons hosting returning refugees and an additional 10,000 persons in a second displaced camp.
This will entail the construction of an additional 50 water points with hand pumps, the rehabilitation of 25 water points with hand pumps (400 persons per well in an emergency) and the provision of an additional 600 latrine posts (50 persons per post). The additional displaced camp requires water pumping, treatment, storage and distribution equipment, as well as rapid installation sanitation equipment.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY Budget Items US$ Construction of 50 new water points w/hand pumps 175,000 Rehabilitation of 25 water sources w/hand pumps 44,000 Construction of 600 latrine posts 290,000 Pumped, treated, gravity-fed water supply system for 10,000 persons in a camp 61,250 (see below) Rapid response sanitation facilities, including plastic squatting slabs for 10,000 persons 57,000 Training, Social Mobilisation and Hygiene Education 50,000 Chlorination Activities and Supplies 15,000 Field Office Direct Operating Expenses 170,000 HQ Indirect Programme Support 79,000 Water distribution network (10,000 persons) Water storage: 1 x 95m3 + 2 x 45m3 roofed tanks 13,500 Pumping system: 2 x Lister Petter Isoflow AD1/65-50-160 or 2 x Grundfoss 9,000 submersible pump Distribution: 1000m x ND90 NP10 MDPE + 1000m x ND63 NP10 13,000 MDPE + 1000m x ND32 NP10 MDPE pipe and accessories Water points: 10 x distribution tapstands (6 taps per tapstand) 2,600 Water treatment: Coagulation, flocculation and disinfection chemicals and 7,500 equipment Other: Plumbing accessories 2,300 Freight, etc.: 3,350 Labour: Installation and 6 months of operation 5,000 Fuel 5,000 TOTAL 1,002,500
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ANNEX I
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ADB African Development Bank AIDS Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome APP Acute Placcid Paralysis ARC American Refugee Committee ARI Acute Respiratory Infection
BNCR Bureau National de Coordination des Réfugiés BP-5 High Energy Biscuit
CA Consolidated Appeal CAP Consolidated Appeals Process CARITAS International Conference of Catholic Churches CBA Child-bearing Age CBOs Community-based Organisations CBS Community-based Services CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of forms of Discrimination Against Women CHAP Common Humanitarian Action Plan CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child CVT Centre for Victims of Torture
DDR Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration DFID Department of International Development DRACO UNHCR Regional Directorate for West and Central Africa
ECOMOG ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States EMOP Emergency Operation EPI Expanded Programme of Immunisation EU European Union
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FP Family Planning FPI Front Populaire Ivorien FSA Field Security Assistant FSO Field Security Office FTRN Family Tracing and Reunification Network
GDP Gross Domestic Product GoSL Government of Sierra Leone GTZ German Technical Cooperation
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HC Humanitarian Coordinator HIC Humanitarian Information Centre HIV Human Immuno-deficiency Virus
IASC Inter-Agency Standing Committee ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross ICT/WCA Inter-Country Team of West Africa IDPs Internally Displaced Persons IEC Information, Education and Communication IGOs Inter-Governmental Organisations IHR International Human Rights ILO International Labour Organization IMF International Monetary Fund IOM International Organization for Migration IRC International Rescue Committee IV Intravenous Fluid
MCH Maternal and Child Health MoA Ministry of Agriculture MoH Ministry of Health MoU Memorandum of Understanding MPH Ministry of Public Health MSF Médecins Sans Frontières MTCT Mother to Child Transmission MYES Ministry of Youth, Education and Sports
NCRRR National Commission for Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations NIDS National Immunisation Days
OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCPH Local NGO OHCHR Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights ORS Oral Rehydration Salt OXFAM Oxford Committee for Famine Relief
PEER Programme for Emergency Education and Rehabilitation PHU Peripheral Health Unit PMTCT Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission POS Promotion Officers PRRO Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation
RH Reproductive Health RUF Revolutionary United Front
SCF Save the Children Fund SECADOS Local NGO SMT Security Management Team STDs Sexually Transmitted Diseases
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TBA Traditional Birth Attendant TT Tetanus Toxoid vaccine
ULIMO-K Former Rebel Group in Liberia UNAMSIL United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Sierra Leone UNCT United Nations Country Team UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund UNOL United Nations Peace-building Office in Liberia UNOPS United Nations Office for Project Services UNV United Nations Volunteers USAID United States Agency for Development
WFP World Food Programme WATSAN Water and Sanitation WFP World Food Programme WHO World Health Organization
175 OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (OCHA)
New York Office Geneva Office United Nations Palais des Nations New York, N.Y. 10017 1211 Geneva 10 USA Switzerland Telephone: (1 212) 963.1773 Telephone: (41 22) 917.1438 Telefax: (1 212) 963.3630 Telefax: (41 22) 917.0368