FarmaHealthServices Repoting On Humanitarian Affairs in Sierra Leone
Reporting On Humanitarian Affairs in Sierra Leone SECURITY
The security situation within Sierra Leone and along the borders with Liberia and Guinea has been generally stable with no serious clashes amongst factions. The disarmament process has now been completed in Kono District and is ongoing in Moyamba and Koinadugu where there have been slight delays in the process due to the limited capacity of the camps, primarily in Moyamba.
Army convoys enter RUF territories A 13-vehicle convoy of SLA soldiers carrying food and other logistical resources passed through Makeni en rout to Kabala, both RUF territories northeast of Freetown on 15th August with no hindrances. They were received with cheers and jubilation from both civilians and RUF combatants. This move is seen as a test case of the RUF’s commitment to peace as previously such a venture would not have been possible.
UNAMSIL to launch TRC web page UNAMSIL and the Sierra Leone Web have launched the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) web page. This will provide up to date and detailed information on the progress of the TRC and the peace process.
Hitches in the peace process Tensions generated by internal difficulties within the RUF when one of the commanders, Colonel Christopher was killed by Colonel Morris Kallon in Makeni, on 17th August, threatened to destabilise the peace process in the North. This resulted in a riot in Makeni and accusations from both the RUF and the civilian population that the UNAMSIL battalion was taking sides. UNAMSIL has reported that this incident has been contained and is under investigation and that it has not unduly influenced the ongoing DDR process
Rising incidence of crime Crime rates in major towns, notably Freetown, Lunsar, Makeni and Kabala have increased. The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has deployed in Lunsar and Makeni whilst the SLA deployed in Kabala. There have been initial talks between UNAMSIL, RUFP, Government and local representatives about the planned deployment of the SLA in Lunsar. A new MILOB team site has been established in the region in order to facilitate the process.
RUF members released from prison The Government of Sierra Leone announced that it has released 41 RUF members from detention. Among those released was former RUF minister, Alimamy Paolo Bangura. The announcement was made the day before the Tripartite Meeting of the Joint Committee on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration held on Friday 10th August in Kenema. These detainees were incarcerated last May after the RUF had violated the Lome Peace Accord. Whilst this is a positive move the RUF, however, have contested the number released claiming that only 17 detainees were actually discharged.
UN Rapporteur visits Sierra Leone The UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Radhika Coomarswamy, has called for more donor support for Sierra Leone’s women, particularly those who are internally displaced. She made this appeal at the close of her weeklong visit to Sierra Leone. She said that the social conditions of women had deteriorated during the past decade of civil war and criticised the donor community for "not responding appropriately" to the needs of women. She further expressed dismay over women’s sexual exploitation, rape, drug abuse, discriminatory laws on inheritance and female genital mutilation.
America provides support to Sierra Leone Two bilateral agreements were signed between the Governments of Sierra Leone and the United States for a three year-transition programme (US$ 19 million) and for the reintegration of war-affected people into their communities (US$ 14.5 million). This will assist the process of national reintegration through the increase of community- based activities in agriculture, health, economic growth and improving youth capacities and strengthening national institutions. USAID will also work with the Government and civil society to promote greater transparency and accountability in the way Government officials and organisations operate. In addition to these two programmes, the US has donated a further $ 4.5 million worth of equipments, which will support the Senegalese contingent bound for peacekeeping duties in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone collects $ 91,000 from diamonds A review of the new diamond certification system reports that the Sierra Leone Gold and Diamond Office has collected $ 91,000 in revenues from fees paid by diamond exporters. A total of 144,760 carats valued at $ 19.10 million have so far been exported since the certification system began last October. This was instituted to end transactions in "conflict diamonds".
Elections postponed The National Electoral Commission has warned that elections scheduled for this coming November may have to be postponed until next year. Despite the work of a Commonwealth team of consultants who have been engaged in facilitating and overseeing the election process, fears that the disarmament of combatants will not be completed within the stipulated time frame, difficulties in compiling the voters’ register and funding constraints all pose considerable obstacles which will potentially delay the process.
To date, a total of 21 political parties have been registered to run for elections. The RUF, however, are dissatisfied with this potential delay and have threatened to cease cooperation with the Government and UNAMSIL, if an interim (all party) government is not set up and particularly if the RUF are not recognized and invited to be part of this. The Government constitutionally extended its term of office for a six-month period in March of this year, which will expire at the end of September. As the Government has indicated that they do not want the elections to take place before the disarmament process has been completed, there are real concerns over continued RUF cooperation.
Doctors and nurses on strike Junior doctors and nurses in the country are taking strike action over what they describe as poor conditions of service. The doctors have, however, called off their strike after an agreement with the Government was reached to meet some of their demands. The nurses continue their strike action, as their demands for improved conditions as yet, have not been met. The strike action has lasted for more than two weeks now and some of the patients admitted at Connaught Hospital, the main Government facility in Freetown, have been taken away by their families without treatment. This is seen as a setback into the already precarious health conditions in the country.
SUB-REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS MRU Ministers meet in Freetown
The Joint Security Committee of the Mano River Union States met in Freetown on August 22nd to map out strategies for resolving security problems in the region. Each government has agreed to extradite dissident elements operating in their respective country. This agreement is a follow-up to the August 13th meeting in the Liberian capital, Monrovia where ministers agreed to seek ways of restoring dialogue among the Mano River Union States - a move that the UN Security Council has described as a real prospect for peace in the sub-region. The ministers will next meet in the Guinean capital, Conakry on September 10th.
Liberia revokes expulsion order Liberia has revoked the expulsion order it imposed on the ambassadors of Sierra Leone and Guinea for unspecified acts. Similarly, the UN Security Council has granted a temporary waiver on the ban it imposed on senior Liberian officials enabling them to attend these meetings and facilitate proper dialogue between each of the three MRU states.
Sierra Leone CAP 2002 In preparation of the UN Interagency Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) for Sierra Leone 2002, a one-day Stakeholders Consultation was held on 23rd August at the British Council bringing together the Government, donors, national and international NGOs, civil society, beneficiaries and the UN. The purpose of the consultation was to develop a shared humanitarian vision, a common analysis and understanding of key humanitarian priorities and joint strategies for the upcoming calendar year. The NCRRR Commissioner, Development Secretary, Deputy SRSG UNAMSIL, Humanitarian Coordinator, Nigerian High Commissioner, members of the donor community and the Chairman of the National Council of Displaced Persons provided their perspectives on humanitarian challenges in Sierra Leone. In addition Sectoral Working Groups jointly identified major needs, priorities, strategies for intervention in their relevant areas of expertise.
Further consultations with the wider humanitarian community are expected prior to the submission of the field draft of the CAP to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva on 7th October. A Global Launch of the CAP is planned for the 27th November to be held simultaneously in major donor capitals.
CHILD PROTECTION Community Education Investment Programme
UNICEF, in collaboration with MYES has provided financial and technical support to COOPI to conduct a Community Education Investment Programme (CEIP) training and sensitization workshop for the Western Area. The objective of the workshop was to familiarize communities and schools about the scope of CEIP. Participants comprised Community Tracing Agents (CTAs), head teachers/principals, social workers and child protection agencies in the Western Area. UNICEF and its partners in the CEIP have held discussions on the extension of CEIP to newly accessible areas. NRC, which is currently implementing CEIP in the North, will expand to Koya and Masimera chiefdoms in the Port Loko District whilst CARITAS Makeni will be responsible for Tonkolili District.
Family tracing and reunification There are now a total of 73 children associated with the fighting forces at the CARITAS Makeni reception centre in Kabala. They comprise 30 RUF (27 boys and three girls), 26 demobilized CDF boys and 17 separated children awaiting family tracing and reunification. In addition to this, 90 children, including a girl, have been reunified with their families in Kambia. CARITAS Makeni has also distributed tools and training materials to 150 war affected children who are currently undergoing skills training in carpentry, masonry, auto-mechanics, etc. in Lungi, Port Loko and Yoni communities. They include 80 former child combatants and 70 separated children. Micro-credit loans have been given to 175 foster families in Lungi and Port Loko.
A one-week registration has been carried out by child protection agencies in collaboration with the SLP, which has identified 80 street children (79 boys and a girl). The Child Protection Regional Committee has conducted a one-day workshop for social workers and tracing agents on family tracing and reunification in Kenema District.
Child protection initiatives - sexual violence sensitization UNICEF has supported GOAL in concluding a series of sensitization workshops on Sexual Violence for Commercial Sex Workers in the communities of Susan’s Bay (Maybala), Guard Street and Kanikay, east of Freetown. Rape, reproductive health, the rights of the girl child, information on the survival strategies of commercial sex workers and the community’s role in the prevention and minimization of sexual violence, were among the issues discussed.
RUF employs child labour in Kono Sierra Leone web reports that the RUF is using forced labour on children and young men to mine diamonds in Kono despite an agreement reached earlier this month between the Government and all the warring parties to cease all mining activities.
EDUCATION NRC, in collaboration with MYES and UNICEF will run a two-week training of trainers’ workshop for 40 educational trainers in Bombali, Koinadugu, Kailahun and Kono Districts. It has provided tutors for Trauma Healing, HIV/AIDS, Peace and Human Rights and Physical Health Education.
NRC and MYES are jointly organising an assessment of teacher/pupil availability and educational needs in the Kambia District. This assessment will be carried out in areas approved both by UNHCR and MYES, where there are high returnee populations.
UNICEF has also provided technical and financial support for the training of 35 non-formal community schoolteachers in Makeni.
World Vision has trained 200 Learning Facilitators (LFs) from 10 communities in Bo, Bonthe, Tonkolili, Kambia and Koinadugu Districts through its Youths Reintegration Training and Education for Peace (YRTEP) component. Since it initiated the YRTEP programme in March 2000, a total of 3,260 LFs and 32,600 participants have so far been trained.
UNHCR has held an educational coordination meeting aimed at discussing modalities on the resuscitation of educational activities in the Kambia District. This will see primary schools benefiting from a school feeding programme to relieve the short-term hunger in children and enhance their concentration in classes.
NRC, with the support of UNICEF and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youths, Education and Sports (MYES), ADRA, Action AID, CARITAS and the District Education Office has provided funds for the refresher-training programme for 158 primary school teachers in Rokupr, Kambia District. The community is being sensitized to encourage teachers to return to Kambia where employment opportunities will be generated for those who are unemployed for a period of six months.
UNHCR is also providing funds through NRC, for the rehabilitation of six primary schools. In addition to this UNICEF will renovate four primary schools and provide financial and technical support for refresher teacher training and teacher/learning materials for 7,000 pupils.
Registration of children between the ages of 14-15 in the district will soon commence. In Port Loko District, NRC will rehabilitate a school, DFID will rehabilitate nine schools, NWRO and the Swiss Foundation for Sierra Leone will further rehabilitate two schools in Koya chiefdom.
AGRICULTURE FAO, in collaboration with NCDDR and MAFMR and other implementing partners distributed 200 Mt of seed rice to 4,000 farm families including ex-combatants in Kambia, Port Loko, Kenema, Kailahun and Bo Districts. Essential agricultural tools such as hoes and cutlasses have also been pre-positioned in delivery points for distribution. FAO also reports that 60 Mt of groundnuts and 10,000 kits of vegetable seeds would be distributed in the second cropping season. In addition to this FAO has distributed 140 Mt of groundnuts to 7000 farm families and 129 Mt of seed and tools to 4,582 farm families in Port Loko, Bo, Pujehun, Kenema and Kailahun Districts in collaboration with UNHCR and MAFMR. This will be followed by a further distribution of 121 Mt of seed rice, 2418 sets of hand tools and 7000 kits of vegetable seeds in the second cropping season.
World Vision has provided 256.5 Mt of seed rice and tools to 6000 farm families in six chiefdoms in the Kono District. It has so far provided a total of 2,036 farm families in the district with FFAg.
MAFMR, in collaboration with FAO, has distributed a total of 600 Mt of seed rice to National Association of Farmers in Sierra Leone (NAFSL) and personnel of the ministry. The Community Action for Progress (CAP) has reopened its office in Rokupr and distributed 7,531 bushels of seed rice to 15,062 farm families in the Kambia District. It will provide skills training for youths and ex-combatants (now called "New Citizens"). In Port Loko and Kambia 31,514 bushels of seed rice have been distributed to 15,730 farm families by aid agencies.
AFRICARE is supporting women groups in Kolifa Rowalla in small-scale soap making using their own resources. The proceeds are being used to procure materials for ongoing soap making in order to supplement the materials provided.
MICRO CREDIT SCHEMES AFCORD will start a micro-credit programme for Returnees living in the coastal towns of Kambia and repair and maintain some of the commercial boat transport to facilitate local economic activity. ARC has also started a micro-credit project in the District.
SAPA has received Le 9 million ($ 4,500) for 31 micro- credit projects in Bo and Pujehun of which one-third has already been disbursed. A total of 200 beneficiaries will benefit from this project.
WATSAN ICRC is providing 200 latrines to eight villages in the Lower Maforki Chiefdom by mobilizing the communities to utilize local materials and installing wells in the villages of Masama, Mapoli, Mamai-Kanu, Mabasi and Roure. OXFAM has also executed baseline surveys is working with communities in five villages in Lower Maforki. It is planning to extend training facilities to communities and has already provided demonstration latrines to the villages of Rogbet, Rosarr, Forodbana, Magbingbera and Gberi Bana. It has further indicated the availability of £20,000 for the rehabilitation of wells in Magbema chiefdom. AFCORD is carrying out a survey to examine the needs of resettlers in 13 villages along the coastal areas where the rehabilitation of wells, schools and clinics is planned.
Watsan facilities are functioning in all the camps in the Barri chiefdom and OXFAM is sinking boreholes and is further developing water facilities in conjunction with BPDA. A total of 11 pumps have been installed with six more undergoing construction. Overall, the general health condition in the camps is satisfactory.
FOOD Assistance to IDPs/returnees
WFP reports that food distribution for IDPs for the month of August has been completed in all IDPs camps in the Western Area as well as to beneficiaries in the transit camps at Jui, Lumpa and Waterloo for returnees. In addition to Western Area distributions WFP is distributing 207 Mt of food to 15,923 returnees in Lokomassama chiefdom. It will soon distribute 102 Mt of food to 8,831 beneficiaries in Port Loko. A total of 63 Mt of assorted food items were distributed through NRC to 5,075 beneficiaries at Jembe and 0.8 Mt of emergency ration were given to 500 Returnees transiting through the Gbaima Way Station.
In Kenema District, CRS reported that a total of 29,288 IDPs in camps have been served with 412.33 of food aid for the month of August.
Food for Agriculture/Food for work Food distributions to 1000 farm families in the Safroko Limba chiefdom, Bombali District were carried out through CARITAS Makeni. Similarly, 122 Mt of food were distributed to 2,855 beneficiaries in Kailahun District. Farmers in Dodo chiefdom in Kenema were supplied their last Food-for-Agriculture (FFAg) allotment.
WFP, in collaboration with ICRC has started delivering the second allotment of FFAg to families in Tane chiefdom, Tonkolili District and completed its third to families in Bombali and Port Loko. In Mile 91, it has completed the distributed of food to 17,486 IDPs in 28 villages. A total of 22 Mt of food was distributed to 1,868 IDPs in Mandu and Bo townships and 102 Mt to 8,831 in Port Loko.
A total of 44 Mt of Food-for-Work (FFW) rations were delivered to 4,442 beneficiaries in Kakua, Baoma, Valunia and G/Lenken chiefdoms. FFW projects include road rehabilitation and watsan programmes. WFP has also distributed 8 Mt of food to 950 malnourished children under the age of five in its operational areas. It also gave 37 Mt of food to 3,020 pregnant/lactating mothers and 15 Mt to 1,630 beneficiaries in Interim Care Centres and orphanages.
HEALTH Plastic surgery to remove scars of war
IMC, in collaboration with UNICEF and MOHS has initiated a plastic surgery programme at the Lungi Hospital to remove scars depicting the names of fighting factions and other conflict symbols branded on the skins of ex-child combatants. The programme is funded by USAID Patrick Lehy’s War Victims Fund and UNICEF. With support from UNHCR and MOHS, IMC has also expanded its primary health care operations to Daru, Kailahun town Beudu and will start one in Kambia District.
PHUs assessment UNICEF and MOHS have conducted a nation-wide rapid assessment of PHUs in order to obtain baseline information on the conditions of infrastructure, personnel and equipment. It has also undertaken a four-day refresher- training course on immunization, injections and operations of the cold chain.
On-going support UNICEF has supported the Lungi Hospital and the cold room in Tonkolili with refrigerators and gas cylinders. Cold stores in the Western Area, Makeni, Kailahun, Magburaka and Mile 91 also benefited from such donations while Port Loko was provided with essential drug kits. UNICEF further provided 377 TBA and nutrition screening equipments to the District Health Medical Team (DHMT) in Kenema, Pujehun, Moyamba and Kailahun.
Promoting health in Kono World Vision (WVI) has set up two primary health care mobile clinics in Kono District and over 100 patients are receiving treatment daily. WVI have also established seven temporary clinics in the district and MOHS is supplying community health officers, maternal and child health aides and vaccinators which are supported by essential drugs provided by UNICEF. WVI have also identified 20 clinics for rehabilitation. WHO has concluded a rapid assessment of the Koidu Hospital in Kono. Supported by the Pakistani Battalion Medical Team of UNAMSIL and MOHS, WHO is to assist with rehabilitating and equipping the hospital, which is in a dilapidated condition.
Sanitation campaign UNICEF has sponsored the training of 300 Blue Flag Volunteers (BFV) for hygiene promotion and administration of oral re-hydration therapy. In addition to this a chlorination programme is underway in Makeni and 981 wells have been chlorinated in Kenema. UNICEF has also distributed sanitation tools to a community- based organisation, Women in Development Association (WIDA) in the Western Area. It is hoped that these tools will serve as a tool bank in strengthening the roll back malaria programme in the east of Freetown.
ICRC health support ICRC has reopened its mobile clinic in Segbwema to address the health needs of returnees and resident families. It is supporting the clinic with basic drugs and monitoring medical care and is partially rehabilitating the Koidu Government Hospital in Kono. ICRC is also supporting the rehabilitation of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Clinic in Makeni. Hitherto, the clinic had been relocated at Mile 91 to respond to the emergencies of IDPs who fled the hostilities from Lunsar, Makeni and Magburaka. It is facilitating the digging of wells and latrines in Makpele chiefdom, Pujehun District, in order to promote health and sanitation. It has so far constructed 15 latrines and 37 more are undergoing construction.
FarmaHealthServices interventions in the North Farmahealthservices is presently supporting clinics in Kambia Town, Rokupr and Gbonko-Maria in Magbema chiefdom and Mambolo Town in the Mambolo chiefdom. It is further considering supporting Mapotolon CHC in Samu chiefdom and carry out minor rehabilitation in all the clinics it served. As a result of the dilapidated hospital structures in the district, Farmahealthservices has converted a rented house for the running of a 20- bed clinic. EC-SLRRP, is planning to work in partnership with Terra Tech, to undertake the first phase of rehabilitation of the Kambia Hospital.Farmahealthservices is presently operating four clinics in Kambia. Staff quarters, however, remain a problem as many houses have been damaged in the region. A total of 21 out of 32 PHUs are currently in operation - UNICEF is supporting five, WHO will support eight in Samu chiefdom and IMC will support one in Rokupr. FarmaHealthServices promotion will also be supported with the start of ARC’s HIV/AIDS sensitization programme in September.
AFRICARE has completed the rehabilitation and has supplied drugs to two clinics in Rokunta and Mabum in the Bombali and Tonkolili Districts. A total of 356 children received the polio vaccines and 248 received the DPT.
Health conditions in the south Farmahealthservices have employed an additional nurse and three MCH aides to support its medical team in Barri chiefdom. The BPDA has been mandated to collect statistics of hernia cases, which seem to be rising drastically amongst the returnees. A local physician has offered to carry out free medical operations on patients but is handicapped by lack of drugs. Farmahealthservices are hoping to provide him with support. In addition to this Farmahealthservices are collaborating with WHO to combat the threat of black flies in the camps.
Acute flaccid paralysis WHO reports that it has conducted an assessment of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and health in Samu, Gbinle Dixon and Magbema chiefdoms in the Kambia District. It discovered malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea and sexually transmitted diseases. It has also been reported that antenatal services are minimal with virtually no equipments for delivery. Malnutrition is also a pervasive problem. Severe cases are referred to the Therapeutic Feeding Centre, which is sponsored by Farmahealthservices in Port Loko. Since the district cold room has been vandalized, EPI activities are further constrained by lack of cold chain equipment.
DDR UNAMSIL reports that the disarmament of combatants in Moyamba in the south and Koinadugu in the north has begun and the process is expected to continue until 31st August. The SRSG, Oluyemi Adeniji symbolically destroyed an AK 47 rifle in Moyamba to formally commence the process. The disarmament in Koinadugu has been hindered by lack of transportation and poor roads. Disarmament in Kono District has now been completed with 3,623 RUF fighters and 2,011 CDF militias handing in their weapons, bringing the total number of those who have disarmed nationwide to an estimated 16,000. NCDDR figures vary a little and record a total of 12,902. UNAMSIL explains the discrepancy is due to the fact that it compiled the figures at the reception centres whilst NCDDR records the number only when the documents are finally processed.
The ICRC has conducted a series of training sessions on International Humanitarian Law and the Red Cross for 52 officers and over 1000 recruits under the Short-term Training Programme in Bengwema. A similar exercise was carried out for 150 demobilized combatants enlisted in the Military Reintegration Programme in Mape, Lungi.
HUMAN RIGHTS TRC sensitization campaigns
The UNAMSIL Human Rights Section has been holding Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) campaigns through workshops, radio programmes and publications. The International Human Rights Law Group is facilitating and providing support to local NGOs and the National Forum for Human Rights has conducted TRC sensitization workshops for paramount chiefs in the southern and eastern regions. The Human Rights section of UNAMSIL has also published a leaflet of 20 questions and answers on the TRC. The SRSG is coordinating the selection process of the four Sierra Leonean commissioners to the TRC.
Ongoing activities UNAMSIL Human Rights Section continues to investigate reports of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including the RUF allegations that Alkalia village in Koinadugu District was attacked by the CDF. It also continues to monitor the situation of detainees at Pademba Road Prison and other locations.
IDPs, RETURNEES & REFUGEES According to OCHA’s latest figures as at 4th August, the total caseload of IDPs in camps in the country is 126,959 while that in host communities is 120,631. The total number of returnees presently supported by UNHCR stands at 75,580. This brings the total number of all IDPs and returnees supported by agencies in Sierra Leone to 323,170.
Provisional shelter assistance for Kambia USAID, through UNHCR has offered 320 packages of zinc sheets for shelters in Kambia District. UNHCR will further provide provisional shelter assistance comprising of plastic sheeting to villages with large numbers of Returnees in the district. These assistance are designed to help the priority needs in the village communities.
Returnees settle in Taiama A convoy of vehicles comprising 71 residents of transit centres in Freetown left for the newly developed settlement sites in Taiama, southern Sierra Leone where they have already been relocated. Many of these Returnees are from Kono who had been reluctant to leave the transit centres for the over-capacity settlements in the south. Taiama has an absorption capacity for 4,000 people.
UNHCR contingency plan UNHCR has adopted a contingency plan in the event of escalated fighting between Liberia and Guinea that could lead to mass population movement into Sierra Leone. It has identified chiefdoms in Kenema and Pujehun Districts and Luawa and Kissi Tongi in Kailahun as possible reception points by starting preparations to increase reception in the area.
Support to IDPs ICRC and the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society have completed the distribution of shelter materials, blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets and soap to six IDP camps in Kenema District and a total of 7,716 families benefited from this assistance. AFRICARE has received FFAg from WFP and distributed them to 255 farm families in chiefdoms in the Kailahun District. It has received the first shot of FFAg from CRS and distributed them to 1,316 farm families in Dama, Guara and Koya chiefdoms in the Kenema District. It has also distributed 40 kg of seed rice to 12 villages in the eastern region and 140 kg to Bandajuma camp.
In Barri Chiefdom and Gerihun temporary settlements for returnees have started gradually in some of the villages. AFRICARE plans to distribute seed rice to returnees. The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) has conducted a comprehensive assessment of plastic sheets needs in all the IDPs camps and is meeting the priority requirements in the camps. Bo-Pujehun Development Association (BPDA) is looking for partners to provide items needed for shelter construction in Barri. CCSL and BPDA have distributed a total of 3,442 consignments of used clothing to the camps and will distribute additional stocks to over 6,000 children in the Chiefdom.
ICRC has distributed NFIs consisting of blankets, kitchen sets, mats, clothing and plastic sheeting to six camps in the region to a total of 7,716 beneficiaries.
Tonkolili Assessments A multi-sectoral inter-agency assessment of eight chiefdoms in Tonkolili District was undertaken between 20-24th August. The aim of the assessment was to obtain general baseline data to allow agencies to identify the most pressing needs and help plan priority humanitarian interventions in the District.
The District Resettlement Assessment Committee for Tonkolili reports that the entire district is generally unstable as there are intermittent outbreaks of unrest among the CDF. No disarmament has taken place and thousands of CDF continue to carry weapons, posing a potential threat to civilians and humanitarian interventions. In Gbonkenlenken chiefdom the CDF appears to be running a parallel administration devoid of any state control in, as the SDLP and SLA are not present there. It is also estimated that in this chiefdom some 13,000 CDFs are carrying weapons. The SLP have also reported that the CDF in Yoni chiefdom have threatened the life of a section chief demanding seed rice donated by FAO. The District Resettlement Assessment Committee therefore recommends that resettlement of IDPs and Returnees in the entire district be put on hold until disarmament is completed.
INFORMATION Sierra Leone Information System
The Sierra Leone Information System (SLIS), in collaboration with UNHCR has conducted a one-day training workshop for 15 officials from various UN agencies, INGOS and the Central Statistics Office on the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units. SLIS has been drawing maps to support the Inter-Agency District Assessment Mission for the National Recovery Committee for Port Loko, Kambia, Tonkolili and Kono Districts. Furthermore, it has developed a standardized assessment forms for the Inter- Agency Mission to facilitate the collection of baseline data on humanitarian situations at district levels and collected and analysed data on completed assessment forms. It is giving GIS support to requesting organisations such as the creation and maintenance of databases on humanitarian activities and other aspects of their operations. Returned assessment forms for Kambia and Tonkolili have been electronically processed and analysed.
The SLIS, which is presently housed at OCHA, emerged through the joint efforts by UNHCR and OCHA and has been providing support services to the humanitarian community in Sierra Leone since last March.
In Sengekoro I meet Mabinty Samawaty, the Mother and Child Health (MCH) Aide. Mabinty is assisted by Sahr H. Simbo, the volunteer vaccinator who administers vaccines to children under five and their mothers. Mabinty also oversees 15 Community Based Distributors (CBDs), also volunteers, who monitor children under five in their communities for pneumonia, malaria (“fever” or “warm bodi”) and diarrhea (“ron belle”), three of the main causes of death in children under five. When sick children are identified, the CBDs provide first line treatment and monitor the child’s progress. If the child’s condition worsens, the CBD makes sure the mother takes the child to the PHU for further treatment.
