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Liberia

Liberia: UNMIL Humanitarian Situation Report No. 123

15 - 21 October 2007

HIGHLIGHTS

- Stakeholders agree measures for disaster risk reduction

- Decrease in number of reported suspected cholera cases

One-day disaster risk reduction management workshop held in Monrovia

The National Disaster Relief Commission (NDRC) hosted a one-day workshop on strengthening national disaster risk reduction capacity on 16 October. More than 30 representatives from Government ministries and agencies, NGOs and UN representatives attended the workshop. A UNDP disaster risk reduction expert facilitated the workshop. It was the last of three consultative meetings to discuss ways of reforming the current disaster risk management and response system.

Participants at the workshop discussed the existing capacities for disaster risk reduction, and outlined strategies for disaster risk management and response in Liberia. They also agreed on major priorities and activities to form part of a disaster management plan. The outline of a national action plan for capacity building in disaster risk management was also developed. Some key recommendations included decentralization of disaster risk management system and restructuring the NDRC to meet current demands.

The next steps include the adoption of the plan by the Government of Liberia and developing a disaster risk reduction policy framework for Liberia. The UNMIL Humanitarian Coordination Section provided technical support for the organization of the workshop, and the UNDP provided the funds for the workshop and worked with NDRC in organizing the various meetings.

Slight decrease in number of reported suspected cholera cases

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) reported that there were 131 suspected cases of cholera in the period covering 8-14 October. This is a significant reduction compared to the 178 suspected cases reported in the preceding week. All the suspected cases were reported in Montserrado County. According to the Ministry, the samples tested during the week showed no positive result for vibrio cholerae (the cholera-causing bacterium).

Humanitarian funding update

According to the UN OCHA web-based Financial Tracking System (www.humanitarianappeal.net), nearly US$ 69 million was raised by 20 October for humanitarian assistance in Liberia in 2007. The share of funding for the 2007 Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Liberia remained unchanged at US$ 46.26 million (or 42% of the revised requirements of US$ 110 million).

WFP feeds 8,500 and warns of funding shortfall

During the week, the World Food Programme distributed 137 metric tons of food to 8,579 schoolchildren, refugees, and other beneficiaries. The largest category of the feeding programme is Emergency School Feeding, which includes a ''Girls' Take-Home Ration'' component to encourage female primary schoolchildren to attend and remain in school.

In addition, WFP has warned of a resource shortfall of US$ 10 million for its feeding programmes up to February 2007. It is inviting donors to help cover this shortfall.

UNHCR supports protection activities in Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties

As part of its support to the rule of law sector in Liberia, UNHCR is planning to construct prison and court facilities in Grand Gedeh County in southeastern Liberia. During the week, UNHCR led a joint interagency mission from Monrovia to the county to assess the proposed sites for the construction of the facilities under the Protection Core Group (PCG) framework. The team included Government ministries and UN agencies.

In Saclepea, Nimba County, UNHCR in collaboration with the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) and the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) conducted Refugee Status Determination (RSD) for asylum seekers.