HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT No. 35 HCS UNMIL Humanitarian Coordination Section 7 - 13 December 2005 _________________________________________________________________________ Highlights Election-Related Disturbances in Monrovia In the evening of 11 December, a disturbance broke out at the headquarters of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) in downtown Monrovia. This occurred after earlier addresses made to party supporters by leaders of the CDC. A large group of CDC supporters became violent, attacking members of the Liberian National Police (LNP). A group of CDC supporters also attempted to disrupt and attack traffic on one of Monrovia’s main thoroughfares, Tubman Boulevard, and moved through the adjacent neighbourhoods damaging vehicles. The LNP arrested more than 40 people who remain in detention. As a result of the violence, several Liberian police officers were wounded, one seriously. Three UN police officers also received minor injuries. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Alan Doss, strongly condemned these acts of violence, the responsibility for which must be assumed by the CDC leadership. The SRSG urged Mr. George Weah and other leaders of the CDC to call on their supporters to prevent any further disturbances. Mr. Doss also assured the citizens of Monrovia that UNMIL will continue to provide all necessary support to the Liberian law and order agencies in preventing any such acts which could threaten Liberia’s hard-earned peace and security. UNMIL is continuing to monitor the situation and has stepped up security in Monrovia in order to respond to any similar incident. Peacebuilding and Reconciliation UNDP, as part of their continual support to the truth and reconciliation process has completed the printing of the simplified version of the Truth and Reconciliation Act into small booklet to be easily carried. In addition to this, a booklet containing the ten most frequently asked questions about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been produced, to give further clarity about the TRC including its activities and the appointment of the Commissioners. Protection The UNDP Gender Officer went on a two day monitoring mission to Lofa County to attend a workshop organized by Zorzor District Women’s Care (ZODWOCA) to train community leaders in Sexual and Gender based violence (SGBV) on 29 November. The workshop brought together about 25 community leaders, both men and women, from the villages in the Salayea district. 1 Health and Nutrition The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, other polio eradication partners, has launched the fourth round of National Immunization Days in Liberia. The goal for the fourth round is to administer two drops of polio vaccine to 1,197,256 children under five years throughout the country. In preparation for round four, refresher training for 7,000 county and district level coordinators, social mobilisers, and vaccinators was implemented. Prior to the launch, UNICEF and its partners pre-positioned polio vaccines and cold chain supplies at the county, district, and community levels. Water and Sanitation UNICEF and the local NGO partner, Equip Liberia, have completed the construction of eight latrines and eight waste pits at seven primary schools in Bahn, Nimba County. The projects will benefit an estimated 2,500 students. Education UNICEF, along with many other UN agencies, donors, and NGOs, attended a one-day donor consultation by the Ministry of Education at the Monrovia City Hall on 8 December, 2005. Sponsored by UNESCO, the meeting reviewed major needs and future funding of the education sector. After opening remarks from the Hon. Gyude Bryant, Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, and a representative of the incoming government, several statements were read from MOE officials, including Minister D. Evelyn S. Kandakai. The goodwill messages following the presentations, many agencies, including UNMIL, UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP, Plan International, European Union and the World Bank expressed their support and strong interest in the improvement of education in the country. A. HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES Internal Displaced Persons As of 10 December 2005, a total of 265,714 IDPs have received their return assistance representing a total of 50,775 families. Movement in Montserrado, Bong and Margibi County IDP Camps Distribution of resettlement cards at Soul Clinic IDP Camp is almost completed. OXFAM has begun the rehabilitation of latrines and bathhouses in the camp. The Norwegian Refuge Council (NRC) and GTZ have almost completed the distribution of transportation allowance and NFIs to de-registered IDPs in Civil Compound and Children’s Home IDP Camps. Distribution of NFIs and transportation allowance is also ongoing in Blamacee IDP Camp. IDPs in Catholic Compound and Freeman Reserve IDP Camps have also started receiving their resettlement package. De-registration for accelerated return by WFP has begun in VOA-1 IDP Camp and continues in Wilson Camp. WFP will begin de-registration of IDPs in Promised Land and Kingsville IDP Camps on 12 December 2005. The IDP Unit field team visited these two camps and conducted sensitization on the return process. 2 Protection Issues within Various IDP Camps VOA-1 IDP Camp A voluntary orphanage run by an IDP in VOA 1 IDP camp was reported to the IDP unit during the reporting period. This was the same orphanage that was reportedly closed down by the Ministry of Gender and Development in November. The IDP Unit conducted a protection mission on the 4th and 5th of December to VOA 1 to do a follow up. Six of the 11 children who were in the orphanage were presented to the unit. Five of the girls who were supposedly 10 years old could not be located during the two visits. The caretaker could also not present any identification of the children to the IDP Unit or explain how the children were supported since she is not receiving any additional food or support. The IDP Unit has serious concerns about the children and the motives of this voluntary caretaking, and will forward this concern to the relevant agencies. Salala IDP Camp Child protection Workshop On 5 December, 2005, the Protection Unit of FO, Gbarnga co-facilitated a joint one day child protection training for agencies involved with the IDP repatriation in Salala Camp. The workshop brought together 42 participants including CPAs doing child protection in the camp and staff from the IDP unit. The aim was to introduce key concepts of child protection and the role of CPAs in and during repatriation. Reasons for separation during repatriation were discussed and participants identified where and when it may be possible for their agencies to help to identify vulnerable children. Blamacee and Seigbeh Criminal activity continues to increase in Blamacee IDP Camp. There were reports of criminals going around the camp and stealing tarpaulins and domestic animals from the IDPs. There was also a report from Seigbeh IDP Camp of forced entry into a WFP container on 7 December 2005 and several food items were stolen. No one has been apprehended for the burglary. Seigbeh IDP Camp is also without a health clinic. MSF is running a mobile clinic about 3 days a week but only goes to Ricks and Plumkor IDP Camps. Sick IDPs from Seigbeh must travel to either one of the two camps mentioned above, in order to receive treatment Facilitated Movement of Vulnerable IDPs by IOM During the reporting period, registration and movement of vulnerable IDPs continued in Montserrado Camps by the International Organization of Migration (IOM). As of 9 December 2005, IOM had registered a total of 28,156 vulnerable IDPs and transported 22,076 to their areas of return. Registration of vulnerable IDPs in Salala IDP Camp has been completed and convoys have begun to deploy. Registration is on-going in Conneh IDP camp General Situation – Western Region Statistics and Registration A total of 123,201 IDPs originating from the Western Region (Bomi, Gparkpolu, and Grand Cape Mount) have received their return packages as of 9 December 2005. This 3 represents 94% of the total IDPs originating from Western region who have received return assistance. There has been an increase of 2,822 f/s since the last reporting period. Protection A one-day workshop on Protection monitoring and standards and indicators was conducted at the UNHCR FO. A booklet containing known indicators, standards and theoretical introduction to protection monitoring in transition phase was prepared. The Field Office will utilize the booklet in field activities, monitoring/reporting and follow-up workshops with external partners. SGBV IRC in collaboration with the SGBV taskforce conducted a follow up on a rape case that was reported to the police station on 7 December. The case involved a 14 year old girl. The LNP in Turbmanburg halted the follow up action and generally displayed poor cooperation with UN Agencies and NGOs. Discussion was held with UNMIL Human Rights section and the Protection Unit at the Field Office for the requisite legal measure to be taken. WATSAN Lack of rain and the ensuing dry season is creating a shortage in water supply from the wells constructed during the year. Many wells are beginning to dry up and requests are being made by the communities using the hand pump for assistance in re-digging the wells. Hut Demolition and Clean-up During the reporting period, a total of 679 huts were demolished and cleaned-up. Since the commencement of IDP movement in November 2004, a total number of 39,592 or 61.8% of some 64,000 shelters/huts in 22 formal camps and 13 spontaneous settlements have been demolished and cleaned-up B. FIELD COORDINATION Gbarnga LRRRC reported that a total 2,632 returnees from Guinea and Ivory Coast have been resettled in Bong County. The IDP Unit has commenced the repatriation process in Salala IDP Camp in Bong County.