U N I T E D N A T I O N S

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT OCTOBER 2003

KEY EVENTS who bear the brunt of providing safe heaven to thousands of people. In West Africa, • UN Day celebrations strengthening coping capacity of host communities has progressively become one of • Vice President to contest in 2007 elections the key areas of humanitarian intervention. This • DPKO visits Sierra Leone emerging need must be given priority • TRC launches National Vision Campaign consideration by the donor community to avoid further deterioration of the overall socio- HUMANITARIAN HIGHLIGHTS economic environment which could in turn lead to further spread of instability and violent UN Day confrontations across the sub-region. UN agencies in Sierra Leone celebrated United Source: OCHA Dakar, Senegal Nations Day on 24 October in at UNAMSIL Headquarters. Activities included Flag-Raising Ceremony (of all countries SECURITY HIGHLIGHTS represented in the mission), a military march past and a special dinner for the UN family. The Security calm and stable UNAMSIL/UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Alan The security situation in the country has been Doss read the UN Secretary-General’s message generally calm and stable. UNAMSIL continues while the representative of the Government of its patrol along the Liberia - Sierra Leone Sierra Leone, Defence Minister Mr. Joe Blell border. Joint border patrols by MILOBs, delivered a statement on behalf of the PAKBATT, IMATT, RSLAF and SLP also government. continue along the area.

Over two million people affected by conflict Operation Blue Vigilance According to the latest information gathered On 20 October, UNAMSIL launched a joint from OCHA offices in the sub-region, some border operation in collaboration with the Sierra 2,228,846 civilians from Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Leone Police (SLP) and the Republic of Sierra Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso have been Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). "Operation Blue affected by recent conflicts. Of these 2,228,846 Vigilance" is designed to increase security in the million people, 18 percent are refugees, 47 frontier with Liberia, and to enhance the percent IDPs and 35 percent returnees. It capacity of the RSLAF. The Operation will should also be noted that while over 39 percent increase UNAMSIL forces and the national live in camps, hence being totally dependent on security agencies' presence along the border humanitarian assistance, close to 61 percent live with Liberia, thereby preventing potential outside the camps; meaning that their livelihood infiltrations of Liberian combatants into Sierra depends mainly upon the coping capacity of Leone. The first phase of Operation Blue host communities. Vigilance, which should be completed by 02 November, is to gather detailed information of Need for more support for host communities the Sierra Leone- Liberia border through air and This brief overview underlines the complexity ground patrols, and observation of border and diversity of humanitarian situations across crossing points and routes the sub-region, brining into light the critical issue of funding support to host communities

1 New commander for UNAMSIL troops Community policing in Kenema Following the departure from UNAMSIL, last Throughout the country, the SLP have month of former Force Commander (FC) introduced the concept of Community Policing General Daniel Opande, Pakistani-born Major or Local Needs Policing with the support of General Sajjad Akram has been appointed as the UNAMSIL CIVPOL. In Kenema, the concept new FC for UNAMSIL. Prior to his new includes the formation of a local partnership appointment Major General Akram was board to work in close liaison with the police, UNAMSIL's Deputy Force Commander. Chief regularly discussing security issues with the aim of Staff, British-born Brigadier General Adrian of reducing crime rate in the community. The Forster now takes over as Acting Deputy Force main thrust of this concept is to ensure a Commander. General Opande who has been proactive re-assurance and public safety with UNAMSIL since November 2000 was approach to security concerns, involving appointed as the Force Commander for the members of the community reporting on any Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). unusual incident in their residential areas. The Kenema community has in that connection DPKO visits Sierra Leone donated three mobile cell phones to the Kenema The Director for Africa Division at the Police, in order to help civilians and especially Department of Operations based the business community to be able to reach the in New York, Mr. Dmitry Titov, undertook a police easily. four-day mission to Sierra Leone in October to assess the country’s situation in the context of Cross border trade UNAMSIL’s adjustment, draw down and Reports from the Zimmi axis indicate an withdrawal plans. Mr. Titov met with increase in the smuggling of food items across government officials, UNAMSIL and the UN the border. Due to lack of appropriate customs country team, members of the diplomatic corps, authorities in the Zimmi - Gendema border representatives of NGOs and members of the crossing points, no taxes are being levied on the press. goods being trafficked.

UNAMSIL’s support to UNMIL On 08 October, the Battalion left POLITICAL HIGHLIGHTS Freetown for Liberia to join UNMIL. The Battalion arrived in Sierra Leone eight months Vice President declares his intention ago and have completed their tour of duty in On 25 October, Vice President accordance with UNAMSIL's adjustment, declared his intention to stand as the Sierra drawdown and withdrawal plans. The remaining Leone Peoples Party candidate for presidential troops of the Battalion left on 10 - 11 October elections in 2007. He made the revelation in a 2003. meeting with Paramount Chiefs, party stalwarts and other dignitaries in Bo. Having worked Peacekeepers undergo training before closely with President Kabbah for nearly two deployment years, Mr Berewa sees himself as a suitable Peacekeepers heading for Liberia received successor to President Kabbah. training in Freetown on a wide-range of issues on UN peacekeeping operations prior to their President Kabbah visits Bangladesh deployment. The training was organised and President Alhaji Dr Ahmad Tejan Kabbah paid facilitated by the military division of the UN a three-day official visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh Department of Peacekeeping Operations on 21 October, where he met with President (DPKO) and UNAMSIL is supporting the Iajuddin Ahmed. President Kabbah held official programme with resource persons and logistics. talks with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to The training is designed to provide relevant UN discuss bilateral matters as well as international peacekeeping information and mission-specific and regional issues of common concern. The training for both senior and junior officers. relation between the two countries has deepened Topics discussed include the history and nature in recent years with the deployment of of the Liberian conflict and the role of the UN Bangladesh Army Contingent to Sierra Leone and the Economic Community for West African under UNMASIL. At present, some 1,496 States (ECOWAS) in resolving it.

2 Bangladeshi troops are engaged in peacekeeping October, is designed to lead the way to elections operations in Sierra Leone. Earlier in the trip the in 2005 and create a basis for lasting peace in President made a visit to Malaysia to attend the Liberia, which has been engaged in civil war for 10th Summit of the Organisation of Islamic most of the past 14 years. Liberia's Countries [OIC]. Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme is expected to start in mid-January National Vision Campaign when United Nations peacekeepers would have The Truth and Reconciliation Commission deployed throughout the country. An estimated (TRC), which has been recently granted an 38,000 combatants are expected to disarm. The extension of its mandate until the end of the DDR programme will be carried out by year, has launched a National Vision Campaign, UNMIL, which currently has 4,500 blue berets calling on sierra Leoneans to envision how they on the ground, but expects to reach its full see peace in post-conflict Sierra Leone. The strength of 15,000 early next year. Commission is soliciting written or artistic contributions from around the country that Cote d'Ivoire - still paving a way forward would describe or symbolize a national vision The situation in Cote d'Ivoire remains tense and for the country. The TRC is currently focusing the peace agreement has failed to make any on report writing, finalising research and headway. The peace process suffered a further following up with witnesses who participated in setback when the rebels announced that they the public hearings. The Commission will work were suspending their participation in the closely with the Inter-Religious Council to Coalition Government and Disarmament organize reconciliation workshops in all districts Programme in protest at the slow pace of before the end of its mandate. Reconciliation implementation of the peace accords and lack of activities will continue during next year effective power to their cabinet ministers. (January – June 2004). President John Kufuor of and President Olusegun Obasanjo of visited Cote d'Ivoire on October 30 for talks with President DONOR HIGHLIGHTS Laurent Gbagbo on urgent moves to jump-start the stalled peace process. The meeting will CAP 2004 address concerns of the rebels who have Sierra Leone will do a local launch of its occupied the northern half of the country for the Transitional Appeal for Relief and Recovery in past 13 months. The Cote d'Ivoire cabinet have Freetown and Dublin on 19 November. The also met to discuss among other things issues of global launch of the 2004 Consolidated Appeals disarmament and security and to address the will take place in New York on 18 November long absence of former rebels in the power- and in Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Geneva, sharing transitional government in cabinet Ottawa, and Washington D.C. on 19 November. meetings. The French-brokered peace agreement allowed Mr. Gbagbo to remain in office until elections in 2005. However. Cote d'Ivoire has SUB-REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS been in crisis since September last year, when a military coup was launched against President Laurent Gbagbo. Maintaining Liberia’s fragile peace The peace agreement signed in the Ghanaian preparing for elections capital, Accra on 18 August, has hardly been The Guinean government has announced the adhered to by warring parties, who were date for its Presidential election as 21 December supposed to respect the . However the 2003. This has greatly displeased opposition protagonists continue to engage each other in parties who claim that they have been grossly fighting, creating significant movement of marginalized in the election process, not even people both within and outside the country and being involved in selecting the date for the hindering the efforts of relief workers. The elections. The current head of state, President Accra agreement created a two-year transitional Lansana Conte, aged 69, will seek another government led by businessman, Gyude Bryant, seven-year term despite failing health. The who was sworn in on 14 October. The power- former army colonel who seized power in a sharing government, which was launched on 11 1984 coup has ruled the former French colony

3 for 19 years. The opposition remains undecided crimes and other social misdemeanour. The whether to contest the election in the light of the lack of educational facilities up to senior government's refusal to set up an independent secondary level in/around camps also adds to electoral commission and allow them free this problem. access to the state media. Community Empowerment Finding a regional approach The International Rescue Committee organized UNAMSIL is planning to host a joint meeting of a one-day training workshop on sexual all UN missions in the West African region; exploitation in the Zimmi host community. The UNOWA in Dakar, UNMIL in Monrovia, most common gender based violence reported in MINUCI in Abidjan and UNOGBIS in Bissau. all camps was wife beating. IRC has suggested This meeting, which will afford the concerned that the council of elders and grievance Heads of Missions an opportunity to exchange committees revise the traditional marriage information regarding the situation prevailing in procedures in order to minimize the issue of their respective areas of operation, will focus on wife beating which is thought to be as a result of promoting a regional approach to cross-border illegal marriages in the camps. problems among the neighbouring countries in crises as well as on seeking ways and means of harmonising the work of the missions on such Food aid issues. Food distribution Countrywide, from 05 – 18 October, WFP SECTORAL HIGHLIGHTS supported a total of 104,999 beneficiaries (56,441 female) with2124.55 MT of food. Child protection Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) programmes (refugees, resettlement, returnees and institutions) supported 59,525 beneficiaries Zimmi makes a move for its children (33,400 female) with 932.47 MT of food. The Authorities in Zimmi have formed a local child Therapeutic Feeding Centres/ Supplementary protection committee that will work in Feeding/ and Mother and Child Health collaboration with NaCSA, UNHCR, IRC and Programmes (TFC/SFP/MCH) provided 50.22 SC-UK to enhance the protection of local MT of food to 6,190 beneficiaries comprising children in the community. The agencies will under-fives, pregnant women, lactating mothers conduct community sensitisation on exploitation and TFC Caretakers. Safety nets (Institutional of women and train the community’s child Feeding) provided 3,466 (1,782 female) protection committees. In other news, SC-UK beneficiaries with 27.89 MT of food aid. In the has recently realised that separated refugee Food For Work (FFW) programme, a total of children are being fostered by Sierra Leoneans 12,403 beneficiaries received 559.75 MT of in host communities along the Zimmi border food support. In the Food For Training (FFT) area. The agency is planning a community programme a total of 9,020 beneficiaries orientation workshop in collaboration with received 33.28 MT of food. Food For UNHCR, in order to improve child protection Agriculture (FFAg) supported 8,861 monitoring in the communities that are hosting beneficiaries with 493.36 MT of food support. separated refugee children.

Separated children Health Reports indicate that the main issue related to separated children is the problem of recyclers and those absconding from the camps. Smoking UNICEF embarks on measles campaign of Marijuana (Diamba) is reported to be an UNICEF is embarking on a nationwide measles increasing problem among the children, besides campaign targeting children from nine months the selling of their food and non-food items. The up to age 14. The Phase I of the programme will poor state or non-existence of skills training take place from 28 October - 06 November in facilities and employment opportunities also the and the Northern Region. The results in children easily getting involved in phase II for the rest of the country, will take

4 place from 21 - 30 November. UNAMSIL is African Development Bank and UNAIDS on the providing logistical support for this activity. development of a project identification paper, as EPI refresher training a major strategy to tackle HIV/AIDS in conflict UNICEF supported refresher training for EPI and post conflict situations, especially in the vaccinators in all districts in the East and Mano River Basin and Ivory Coast. The mission Southern Provinces. They also provided revised was a preliminary assessment, aimed at tally register, reporting form for vaccination and designing a project to be supported by the ADB vitamin A doses. that will target specific groups including refugees, host communities, IDPs and Joint nutritional survey peacekeeping forces in the sub-region. The UNHCR supported a joint nutritional survey of delegation held series of meetings with various under five children in all refugee camps in the institutions, including UN agencies, NGOs, the Bo District from 29 September - 11 October. National Aids Secretariat, MOHS and MEST. The aim of the survey was to collect They also met with the Ambassador of the anthropometric data consistently in the camps United States of America. The UNCT using the same methodology. The data will emphasized the need to focus on statistics and serve as a baseline for future nutritional information and capacity building of the MRU monitoring systems to be set up by UNHCR. Secretariat. Data entry and survey analysis will take place from October to December, with the final results The main objectives of the mission were to: expected early January 2004. According to • assess the political will of the respective MSF, the stunted growth of many children governments to support a joint plan of discharged from the TFC to their mothers, is action and implementation framework of the caused by misuse and/or selling of the food sub-regional initiative on HIV/AIDS; meant for the children. Common diseases • ascertain the incidence and prevalence of reported from camp clinics include malaria, HIV/AIDS in the sub-region; anaemia, STI, ARI, skin infection and • document the institutional and hypertension. organisational constraints of the health systems in the countries; • HIV/AIDS detail the intervention of other development partners in the response to HIV and ; • propose an appropriate implementation Preparing for World AIDS Day framework for the initiative and to discuss The UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS together and agree on the project activities for with the National Aids Secretariat are trying to possible bank financing that will strengthen put together a series of activities to mark the the capacities of the concerned countries World Aids Day on 01 December. World AIDS and enhance the sub-regional and sectoral Day, which is now in its 15th year, was initiated coordination capacities for the overall following a summit of health ministers in prevention, control, and management of London in 1988. Since then, the day has been People Living With HIV/AIDS and those used to bring people together globally to stop affected by HIV/AIDS and STIs. the spread of HIV, and to call for urgent action to end AIDS. It is also an opportunity to remind Human Rights people about their roles in keeping up the fight against AIDS. The slogan for this year’s World AIDS Campaign is "Live and Let’s Live”. It CIVPOL receive human rights training will focus on eliminating stigma and The Human Rights section of UNAMSIL discrimination, which are major obstacles to conducted a three-day consultation workshop effective HIV/AIDS prevention. for 32 UN Civilian Police (CIVPOL) team leaders on "Police Ethics, Human Rights and the Regional efforts to mitigate the spread of AIDS Rule of Law in Democracy" at its headquarters A five-man UNAIDS/ADB team visited Sierra in Freetown. The workshop, which is a prelude Leone from 11-17 October. The team was to the training in human rights of senior fielded as a result of discussions between the personnel of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), reviewed and ascertained the methodology and

5 training techniques in policing. The CIVPOL Management and into the work, which has officers will further train SLP personnel in a already been undertaken with the Ministry of series of five courses which will take place in Science and Technology through the each of the three police provincial commands. DRCs. SLIS earlier held discussions with the Special attention was given to matters relating Bank’s decentralisation team on the to gender issues and the protection of women Decentralisation and Capacity-Building of Local and juveniles in the administering of justice. Government project. The SLIS is to take part in training of the District Councils Planning UNAMSIL providing HR trainings Officers. The Human Rights Committee, chaired by UNAMSIL is planning a workshop on “Women Who What Where Humanitarian Database and the Rule of Law”. This event will address The OCHA/SLIS Who What Where Database among other issues the incompatibility between collects information regarding village customary law and national legislation as well interventions from Donors, UN Agencies, as the issue of costly medical certificates for NGOs and implementing Government agencies. victims of sexual violence. UNAMSIL Human Over 70 percent of agencies partaking in the Rights team is also planning a two-day training project have submitted data. The data and for human rights activists in Freetown from 4 – analysis will be available on the NRS 5 November. Monitoring System CD at the end of October.

CD ROM Encyclopedia 2003 – 2004 Information Planning has begun for the third OCHA CD Rom Encyclopaedia of Sierra Leone. A review National Recovery Strategy Monitoring System meeting of the second edition will be held with The data collected by the District Recovery participants from GoSL, UN, INGOs, SLANGO Committees (DRC) has been validated by the and Donors to look at ways in which the respective GoSL Ministries and all sectoral Data Encyclopaedia content can be improved. Packs have been printed by OCHA. Progress has begun to put into place the final Information Management Committee requirements of the project such as organisation The Information management Committee that geographical data for distribution and creating was established early September, responsible for the data search interface that will allow the user developing standards in data collection, to undertake cross analysis between the DRC archiving and sharing, has taken the first steps data and the Who What Where data. The NRS towards endorsing a National Data monitoring system was established to monitor Infrastructure process. The committee, which is the benchmarks of the NRS. The outputs of the under the Technical Committee of the National system are a series of government validated Recovery Committee and the National Statistics Data Packs, which include an analysis of Coordinating Committee is predominantly recovery and analytical maps, to be used as a attended by GoSL ministries. The Committee is planning tool for resource allocation. The CD being chaired by Statistics Sierra Leone and and the Data Packs will be made available at the OCHA. Development Partnership meeting on 6-7 November. OCHA/SLIS is considering a HIC Database comprehensive extension programme for DRCs As the SLIS and HIC continue to expand their on data analysis and interpretation that will be product base, both centrally in Freetown and designed to enable DRCs to use the data in their also to mini HICs located in the field, there is a day to day planning at the District level. strong need to monitor service delivery both for cost recovery purposes and also for donor Decentralization of Information reporting. A database with five main OCHA/SLIS has submitted to the World Bank components has been designed and an Expression of Interest for the design of the implemented to increase the timeliness and Education Management Information System effectiveness of service delivery and improve (EMIS). The EMIS fits into the 2004 SLIS accountability. These outputs include; a strategy in the decentralization of Information catalogue of products available from the HIC: documents, books, videos, maps, assessments;

6 tracking of large map requests; tracking of Commission for Social Action (NaCSA). Other distributing materials; organisational directory; partners like the Red Cross, GTZ and Save the and customised mapping monitoring for the Children UK were also present to provide SLIS. Map Catalogues have also been assistance to the new returnees. disseminated to all Field Offices as part of the Mini HIC initiative Exploring further options UNHCR is working with WFP to organise twice-weekly flights for up to 40 Sierra Leonean Refugees refugees in Liberia per week. There are still some 14,000 Sierra Leonean refugees living in Repatriation from other countries Liberia's camps. Since 2001, close to 66,300 UNHCR has begun a series of meetings at their refugees have gone back to Sierra Leone from head office in Freetown, focusing on Liberia with UNHCR assistance. This year, repatriation aspects to promote a safe return of despite the recurring fighting, the agency has Sierra Leoneans from Guinea, , helped more than 4,000 Sierra Leonean refugees Guinea Bissau, Mali and Senegal. Repatriation to return home by sea and air. UNHCR is also from Guinea Bissau and Mali will be done by exploring the possibility of overland repatriation air, starting second week of December, with the through Pujehun District. Various assessment goal to repatriate by 2004 about 1,600 returnees missions have been conducted from Monrovia from both countries. Meanwhile from The to the border area with Sierra Leone. Gambia and Senegal, UNHCR will facilitate the return of Sierra Leonean returnees by air of up Plans for Liberian refugees to 300 refugees in 2003, and by ship next year, In the best-case scenario, UNHCR plans to 3,500 Sierra Leoneans. continue care and maintenance in the camps during 2004. In the event of a successful start or Bringing back S/Leoneans home from Guinea implementation of the DDR programme in UNHCR plans to recommence voluntary Liberia, with most of the country accessible and repatriation of some 14,414 Sierra Leoneans the militia disarmed, the Agency would start registered in camps in Guinea. It is estimated facilitating voluntary repatriation to Liberia by that 58.34 percent of the refugees in Guinea are the last quarter of 2004. The estimated refugee from Kailahun axis and 40.64 percent from caseload by 01 January 2004 is 55,000 in Kono axis. From the Kono axis movement camps, 7,000 in urban centres and 7,500 at the through Pamelap will tentatively start from 17 border areas, totalling up to 70,000. Following a November - 15 December and from the tentative repatriation this figure would be Kailahun axis, a flat bottom boat will operate reduced by 10,000 by the end of 2004. from 01 December – 15 December. At this rate, roughly 6,000 persons will be repatriated before Movement of Liberian refugees the end of the year. The repatriation of the In Kailahun, UNHCR reports a significant remaining caseload should be completed by mid movement of Liberians in Sierra Leone June 2004. Considering the elections in Guinea returning to Liberia. The RSLAF reported that UNHCR might cease convoy activities from 15 the recently opened market at Massambolahun, December 2003 – 04 January 2004. Foya, is heavily attracting Liberians, Sierra Leoneans and Guineans for trading. Over in Repatriation of S/Leonean refugees from Guinea reports indicate that the influx of Liberia Liberian refugees has slowed down hugely. The UNHCR has resumed the repatriation of Sierra situation is calm at border areas with relatively Leonean refugees from Liberia to Sierra Leone fewer arrivals registered in the Nzerekoré region by airlifting. The arrival of ten families into in Guinea. Freetown on 29 October was the first organised return movement since a peace agreement was Fundraising for refugees signed on August 18 between the Liberian A German television crew conducted a four-day government and two rebel movements. Upon filming mission in all refugee camps in Sierra arrival the refugees are briefed by UNHCR and Leone in preparation for a fund raising event, in its government counterpart, the National December in Germany. The team witnessed the movement of a refugee convoy from Dauda way

7 station to Tobanda camp, making extensive repeated stealing of tarpaulin and confiscation photo-coverage of UNHCR programme of packets of marijuana by the police from an activities and interviews with UNHCR partners alleged drug pusher in the camp. and refugees in the Tobanda camp. In another mission a seven-man GTZ team from Germany REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS visited Gerihun camp on 08 October to asses various programmes including agriculture, education, skills training, income generating CRS conducts in-house training activities and watsan. The team sought to During the months of October and November identify gaps for possible intervention, with CRS will be holding FFW workshops for its funding support from ECHO. staff in Kenema and Makeni. The first workshop was held in Makeni for about 12 participants. Empowering refugees Another workshop is being planned for Kenema In collaboration with NaCSA, UNHCR has next month. These trainings are intended to recently reviewed eight Community consolidate CRS staff views on the purpose of Empowerment Programmes, implemented by FFW, set targets for the present season, and GTZ in the Kissi Teng, Kissi Kama and Kissi determine how to measure and report upon Tongi Chiefdoms in the . They achievements. CRS will also discuss the policy have also approved 14 projects including four on FFW partnership in-house, before extending rice-bank projects in Makpele and two in a training workshop to regional partners in the Sorogbema. future.

Educational services UNICEF has pre-positioned teaching and Northern Province learning materials for 2,760 CREPS pupils in MEST offices in Kenema and Kailahun Health Districts. Together with MEST they continue to UNICEF facilitated a two-day workshop (14th – monitor enrolment of pupils and teachers in the 15th October 2003) to build the capacity of CREPS programme. Meanwhile, Camp health workers at PHUs on basic maintenance of management agencies are looking into solar refrigerators for 39 PHU staff in Bombali circumstances wherein refugee children are not District and 3 in Koinadugu District. UNICEF being allowed into classrooms for lack of facilitated a one-day sensitisation workshop in uniforms. Some camps have also reported a Makeni Township drawing Imams and Islamic shortage of learning materials, school benches scholars to participate more effectively in the and other furniture for the teachers. eradication of HIV/AIDS in the communities CRS is conducting village-level needs Road repairs assessments in targeted chiefdoms in the The spot repair of the Gendema – Zimmi road Koinadugu District. has been completed by GTZ and SLRA, paving the way for refugee movement across the Education borders. The completion of the 27-mile long UNICEF has supported 52 and 4 primary road is crucial to the resumption of the schools in Bombali and Koinadugu Districts organized land repatriation of Sierra Leonean respectively with teaching and learning refugees in Liberia. As the road is heavy materials. The learning materials are expected to trafficked by commercial vehicles, UNAMSIL help teachers provide some standard/ quality Pakbatt Engineers will ensure further education for children in the region. maintenance during the repatriation, planned for November. Rehabilitation Rehabilitation and reconstructions work on the Camp security prisons in Port Loko, Koinadugu, Kambia and Reports indicate that minor thefts continue to Tonkolili District headquarter towns, with take place in the refugee camps, however the UNDP funds, are ongoing. Rehabilitation of the newly established Police Posts in the camps Local Court in Magburaka, Kholifa Rowalla have helped in reducing the crime rate. The Chiefdom (UNDP funding) and the Makeni main issues reported by UNHCR, involves the High Court Building is also nearing completion

8 – with funds from British Council. Work Eastern Province continues also on the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank at Makeni OCHA and NaCSA Assessing the DRC/NRC OCHA and NaCSA jointly attended several The Tonkolili DRC is actively preparing for the meetings to sensitise communities on how to NRC/DRC session at Magburaka on 25 embark on community projects in refugee host November. Various committees have been communities (Largo and Tobanda), in order to formed to undertake specific responsibilities. A obtain UNHCR funding. OCHA also provided Consultant from the NRC-TC undertook an support to the NaCSA led updating on “Who assessment mission from 23 – 26 October to the does What, Where” NGO list, taking part in a Koinadugu District to assess the progress and session on “Opportunities and Services lapses in the recovery process and make Mapping” for Kenema District (resources recommendations. He met with the Koinadugu allocation/available services). Representatives DRC and community members and made site from the DRC, the SDO’s office, line ministries visits to Sinkunia, Diang and Neini Chiefdoms. and chiefdom authorities participated in the one- Recommendations include, training for DRC day workshop aimed at mapping the general and CRC members, develop an action plan, level of vulnerability of each chiefdom, in order establishment of proper accounting and to improve targeting of needs. A similar information dissemination system, as well as exercise will be later conducted at chiefdom - good networking amongst the various line village level. ministries and DRCs/CRCs Water and Sanitation Survey Opportunities and Services Mapping, an NSAP Data from the Watsan survey conducted last Dispensation month in the Kono and Kailahun District will Following the launching of NSAP on September soon be available in a report shortly. The survey 2003, the Commission conducted several was jointly supported by UNICEF and OCHA. workshops on Opportunities and Services Mapping in the region to guide allocation of Preparing for the Kenema DRC resources. The allocation of resources started on Preparations for the up coming Kenema NRC the 14 October and the exercise is to last are progressing slowly with strong support from through the month. At district level, UN UNOCHA, NaCSA and UNAMSIL Civil agencies, NGOs, community stakeholders, etc, Affairs. The reporting process has been participated in the event and the chiefdom level hampered by lack of commitment from various comprised paramount chiefs, section chiefs and Line Ministries in compiling and forwarding community stakeholders. The outcome of this their input to the DRC Technical Committee. would enable NaCSA to prioritise communities However all sectors have now provided in the allocation of scarce resources in the relief- necessary information except from the Courts development continuum in the NSAP Officials. The DRC members have planned for dispensation. three site visits (prior to the NRC meeting) to Simbaru Chiefdom/Gendema Ferry sites within Kafogo Gravity Water Scheme in Kasunko Kenema Town/Moa River Water Plant and Chiefdom Tongo Field. The event is to take place at the The NSAP programme has initiated its activity Eastern Polytechnic Conference Hall. in the Koinadugu District by supporting a gravity water supply project costing nearly Le51 Improved electricity supply for Eastern region million, which will last for four months. Following information revealed by the SL Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation NGO Policy Guidelines Minister, the Chinese National Electric and On 24 October MODEP facilitated a workshop Electronics Company might be the agency to to disseminate information on the revised NGO improve on hydroelectric installations in the Policy Guidelines to humanitarian organizations country. Plans include construction of the at the Makeni Town Hall. Bikongor Dam in the Eastern region and increase of megawatt capability of the present Dodo facility in Kenema. The Cooperation is

9 currently supplying electricity to the Bo and MOHS donates to health facilities Kenema area. The MOHS provided an ambulance and X-ray machine for the Pujehun Government Hospital. Watsan They also provided another X-ray machine for Tearfund with funds from ECHO, is the Bo Government Hospital to further constructing 1140 latrines in the Kailahun strengthen the quality of health delivery District. So far they have dug 927 latrines, 752 services, in a bid to reduce infant mortality and slabs cast and 518 completed, 409 structures are maternal morbidity rates, as well reduce teenage ongoing, (213 remain to be started). The pregnancies among youth in the respective rehabilitation of the Gravity Flow Scheme at districts. CRS’s shelter unit provided furniture Niahun is complete. They have also completed for five Maternal and Child Health Posts in the two laundry area in Pendembu Njeibla and Pujehun District. Niahun. Their Public Health Education Staff continue sensitisation activities on household ONCHO programme supplied drugs to hygiene and sanitation, conducting house-to- communities in Bandajuma camp for the house visits in the Phase III villages. prevention and control of river blindness

CRS is conducting village-level needs OCHA, in collaboration with NaCSA and food assessments in targeted chiefdoms in the pipeline agencies conducted an assessment in Kailahun District. flood disaster chiefdoms in the southern region.

The NRC/DRC meeting that was scheduled to Southern Province take place on 28 October in Bonthe has been postponed to 09 December. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Western Area On 22 October NaCSA/SAPA in collaboration with Poverty Alleviation Strategy Coordinating Office (PASCO) and UNDP observed the Churches meet to define their role International Day for the Eradication of Poverty The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone in the southern region at the Bo Town Hall. (CCSL) has held its first West African Activities included a march-past for awareness Ecumenical Peace Forum with members of raising and the launch of the micro-finance different churches from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, policy. Highlights of the occasion included the Ivory Coast, The Gambia and Burkina Faso. disbursement of cheques to beneficiaries The West African Councils of Churches began a through micro finance institutions to the tune of three-day seminar on 21 October, on the role of Le101,200.00 million (one hundred and one the Church in peace building as well as to million two hundred thousand Leones). NaCSA identify the causes of crisis in the sub-region. also provided funds for the construction of a community health post at Sogballeh in Bum CCSL on awareness raising Chiefdom, . On 16 October CCSL organized an experience sharing session at their conference hall on the NSAP theme, 'Local Government Elections'. The In a bid to gear up full participation of session articulated several issues such as the communities for the (NSAP) National Social empowerment of women, decentralization, and Action Programme, NaCSA has conducted the forthcoming local council elections. The series of sensitisation meetings and training gathering among other things noted with workshops for Project Management Committees concern the negative socio-economic impact the in twelve pilot communities in the southern erosion of local government bodies has had region, in areas of programme planning, particularly on women. Participants raised monitoring and evaluation, and reporting concern about the government's rejection of the systems. NaCSA has identified seven new people's call for local elections to be held on a communities in the region for their Community non-partisan basis Empowerment Project (CEP)

10 OCHA’s preparing for its transition from relief to recovery OCHA Regional Field Coordinators met in Freetown for a two-day workshop from 16 - 17 October to discuss their roles in the transition from recovery to long-term development in Sierra Leone. Amongst other things, the team reviewed transitional issues in 2004 programming. The workshop was planned and prepared by the Regional Coordinators from Makeni, Bo and Kenema.

Up coming events

DEPAC meeting - 6/7 November Launching of CAP - 19 November Kenema NRC - 11 November Tonkolili NRC - 25 November

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