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RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES
122/SN - 22.08.97
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Update No. 5 on ICRC activities in Sierra Leone
General situation
Over the past few weeks further outbreaks of fierce fighting, widespread power shortages and the embargo declared by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) against the new military junta in Sierra Leone have contributed to a deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the country. Ongoing clashes between ECOMOG forces (ECOWAS Monitoring Group) and pro-junta combatants have resulted in large population movements and several camps for the displaced have been set up, notably in Makeni, north of Freetown. In response to the situation, the ICRC set up an office in Makeni at the end of July.
The breakdown in negotiations between the Sierra Leone regime and the "Committee of four" (comprising the Foreign Ministers of Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Nigeria) at the beginning of August prompted ECOWAS to enforce the blockade of food and fuel deliveries to Sierra Leone. The embargo is expected to be discussed at the meeting of the ECOWAS Heads of State, due to be held in Abuja on 27 August. In the meantime, the ICRC is prepared to make high-level interventions to remind the ECOWAS members of the provisions of international humanitarian law regarding what can and cannot be subject to an embargo.
Increasing civilian unrest has added to the political turmoil, with government workers and civil servants continuing to strike against non-payment of salaries. The National Union of Sierra Leone Students are also protesting against the overthrow of the democratic regime and attempted to ignore a police ban on a demonstration held in Freetown earlier this week.
Security situation
Security for humanitarian organizations in Sierra Leone remains precarious. The ICRC had to withdraw from its office in Zimmi as the safety of its staff could not be guaranteed. Following menacing behaviour towards staff and the arrest of a nurse of the SLRCS (Sierra Leone Red Cross Society), an ICRC clinic in Freetown was temporarily closed down. ICRC staff have also been threatened on the roads and certain field trips to areas south of Kenema had to be postponed as a result. The frequent blackouts in the cities, caused by fuel shortages, are also contributing to the pervading atmosphere of fear and menace.
Food assistance and seed distributions
Escalating food prices coupled with a lack of supplies, due to the ECOWAS embargo, have given rise to a worrying humanitarian scenario. The first signs of malnutrition among vulnerable groups are beginning to appear and, as the number of IDPs continues to increase, so too does the difficulty in feeding them. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that it is the middle of the rainy season, an unfavourable period under any circumstances. An ICRC nutritionist is currently monitoring the food situation and, when security allows, field trips are made to evaluate needs, particularly in areas where distributions or seed-planting have been disrupted by fighting .
In July further food and seed distributions took place in Kenema (41 tonnes of swamp seed) and Makeni (maize meal distributed to 25,000 beneficiaries). A decision has also been taken to provide swamp rice seeds for distribution to targeted farmers in 11 chiefdoms in the Kenema district. The seeds will be distributed by the SLRCS under ICRC supervision. In Segbwema 14,000 beneficiaries received bulgur, corn soya blend, vegetable oil and maize meal, while selected groups of farmers received vegetable seed kits, swamp rice seeds and tools. In Freetown 24 institutions were supplied with enough rations for two months. As of 10 August the ICRC is assisting 31 institutions throughout the country, covering some 3,000 beneficiaries.
For the first time since the beginning of the year, the ICRC was able to carry out a distribution in the former RUF-held area of north Kailahun. A total of 21,016 beneficiaries received 64,650 kg of swamp seeds, 4,416 hoes and 4,700 vegetable seed kits during three distribution rounds.
Health activities
The health situation is deteriorating in all areas affected by the conflict. Assessments carried out at the end of July by the ICRC in the northern province and in the districts of Kenema, Pujehun, Bo and Kailahun confirmed a general shortage of drugs and adequate nursing care. The onset of the rainy season has lead to a sharp increase in the number of cases of malaria, dysentery and pneumonia. On 10 July an ICRC-chartered aircraft flew in 1.6 tonnes of medicines to supply the pharmacy at the hospital in Kenema. Drugs and basic medical care materials were also supplied to clinics and hospitals in those areas assessed at the end of July. The SLRCS, with the support of the ICRC, continues to run clinics providing primary health care in Kono, Bo, Makeni and Kambia. In Freetown the ICRC currently supports five SLRCS clinics/health posts, where consultations, treatment and basic vaccinations for children are provided free of charge. Meanwhile, the ICRC surgical team in place at the capital's Netland hospital since 5 June was able to be withdrawn at the end of July, as it was decided that surgical needs could be covered by the team of another organization working at the other main hospital, the Connaught. However, the ICRC would have a team ready to return to the Netland, should the situation change.
Water and sanitation activities are being carried out in several districts. In Segbwema, the construction of well rings and pit latrines is ongoing. A programme for the distribution of chlorine and treatment of wells in Makeni and its environs is being implemented and is due to last until the end of this month. In Kailahun, the gravity system at Niahun Gbuyama is being rehabilitated, while two latrines and six well rings are being installed at Pendembu.
Protection
A senior officer of ECOMOG's Nigerian contingent invited the ICRC to visit a group of prisoners, which included civilians and combatants, held by his troops since mid-July. So far, the ICRC has carried out two visits, during which delegates were able to speak to the detainees individually.
The ICRC regularly visited civilian detainees in Freetown's Pademba Road central prison and ensured that they were able to maintain contact with their families. The majority of these detainees, held since the coup d'etat in May, have now been released.
In Freetown, the ICRC met the Chief Military Police Officer of the AFRC to discuss a new system for notifying the ICRC of new arrests by the military police. If adopted, the system would greatly help the work of detention delegates in Sierra Leone.
Personnel
There are currently 22 expatriates working on the ICRC's operation in Sierra Leone, nine of them based in Freetown and including five expatriates seconded by the National Societies of Australia, Denmark, France, Iceland and Norway. There are 12 locally hired staff.
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[Via the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs Integrated Regional Information Network for West Africa (IRIN-WA) Reports mailing list. The material contained in this communication may not necessarily reflect the views of the UN or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts from this report should be attributed to the original sources where appropriate. For further information: e-mail irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci, Tel: +225 217367 Fax: +225 216335.]
Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19970825130955.00b3f498@pop.africaonline.co.ci> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 13:09:55 +0100 From: UN DHA IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci> Subject: Sierra Leone: ICRC Update NO. 5 97.8.25
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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