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Liberia

Liberia: UNMIL Humanitarian Situation Report No. 85

December 18 - 24, 2006

HIGHLIGHTS

- Vahun District in Lofa County Gets New Health Centre

- UNHCR Announces Steady Progress in Refugee Repatriation

- Rice Production in Grand Gedeh County Receives a Boost

1. RETURN & RESETTLEMENT

Steady Progress in Refugee Repatriation

UNHCR announced a steady progress in the repatriation of Liberian refugees from neighboring countries and elsewhere. On 20 December, the agency and its partners, including the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) facilitated the return of 368 Liberian refugees (151 families) from Sierra Leone to their places of origin in the Foya, Kolahun and Zorzor Districts of Lofa County in northern Liberia. During the reporting week, UNHCR also repatriated over 600 Liberian refugees both by air and land convoys from Ghana, The Gambia and Sierra Leone under the ongoing voluntary repatriation operation.

According to current repatriation figures, by 22 December, 85,598 Liberian refugees had so far returned home since the launch of the voluntary repatriation programme nearly two years ago. UNHCR is also deregistering a large number of Liberians who have returned home spontaneously and unassisted. The deregistered refugees are receiving similar return assistance package as the assisted returnees.

2. HEALTH

Vahun District Gets New Health Centre

In Lofa County, the residents of Vahun District now have a newly reconstructed health centre, thanks to support from UNDP and its implementing partner, Rescue Africa (RA) - a local NGO. The health centre is now fully staffed and is managed by the International Medical Corps. The Vahun Health Centre is the only medical facility in Vahun Town. It was destroyed during the civil conflict, leaving many residents with limited access to basic health care.

Vahun District is one of the most inaccessible by road, especially during the rainy season. Recently, UNHCR announced that it had increased its reintegration programme in the district to cater for the expected increase in refugee return population, especially from Sierra Leone.

3. EDUCATION

Bomi County Gets a New High School

Schoolchildren in Bomi County now have a newly rehabilitated high school, following the dedication of the C. H. Dewey High School by the President of Liberia. A US philanthropist donated US$ 100,000 for the rehabilitation of the school, which was vandalized during the war. The C. H. Dewey High School has a population of 400 students, and is the only public high school in Bomi County. Early this year, the UNMIL Quick Impact Project renovated two of the school's classrooms.

4. FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOODS

GAA Rehabilitates Cocoa Farms in Grand Gedeh County

German Agro Action (GAA) reported that it has rehabilitated 72 hectares of cocoa farm in Konobo and Tchien Districts in Grand Gedeh County. The agency has established four cocoa nurseries in towns in the two districts. Cocoa, coffee, rubber, and oil palm are some of the key cash crops in Liberia. Many cash crop farms and plantations were either abandoned or vandalized during the war. Rehabilitation of these facilities will help increase agricultural production and income.

WFP Feeds Nearly 65,000

WFP and its partners distributed 494.78 MT of food commodities to 64,958 beneficiaries under its Emergency School Feeding, Resettlement, Nutrition, Food for Work and Food for Training programmes. The agency also collaborated with FAO by providing food support to FAO projects in Sinoe County in southeast Liberia.

Grand Gedeh County to Get 250-Acre Lowland Rice Farm

In Zleh Town, Grand Gedeh County, the Multi Agriculture Promoters (MAP) - a local NGO - has commenced the rehabilitation of 250 acres of swampland for rice cultivation. The project is expected to last for 8 months, and is funded by the USAID-supported Liberia Community Infrastructure Project (LCIP). Upon completion, the lowland farm will boost rice production and improve food security in the county.

5. WATER & SANITATION

Peace Winds Japan Completes Water, Sanitation and Shelter Projects in Bomi County

By 23 December, Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) had constructed 40 latrines and 4 wells fitted with hand pumps in Klay District, Bomi County. It has also completed the fifth distribution of shelter materials to 672 beneficiaries comprising of 200 families in 26 communities in Bomi County. The latrines are provided to communities that received shelter assistance. Shelter materials include roofing sheets, nails, hammers and assorted items.

6. PROTECTION

Cross-border Meeting on Recruitment of Children

Child protection agencies from Liberia, Guinea and Ivory Coast met in Man, Ivory Coast on 5 - 6 December to discuss ways of preventing and minimizing the cross-border recruitment of children formerly associated with fighting forces and to ensure the full protection of children in border communities, including the establishment of cross border networks. Thirty-two participants from sixteen (16) child protection agencies and child welfare committees attended the meeting.

7. SHELTER / INFRASTRUCTURE

UNDP Earmarks Several Projects in Lofa County

The UNDP Community-based Recovery Programme (CBR) has approved the construction of a clinic in Hankah Town, Kolahun District in 2007. The County Health Team will run the clinic after completion of construction. CBR has also approved the reconstruction of 3 schools in Foya District, 4 in Voinjama District, 2 in Kolahun District, and 1 in Zorzor District. A market rehabilitation project in Kolahun Town is also part of the projects that CBR will fund in 2007.