HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE CONTINUES SECURITY ASSESSMENTS IN LIBERIA

HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICE CONTINUES SECURITY ASSESSMENTS IN LIBERIA

NEW YORK, 11 November (OCHA) -- Over the weekend, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Liberia fielded an inter-agency security and protection mission to assess the security situation in Gbarnga and Zorzor prior to United Nations and non-governmental organization intervention in the area.

The mission found general destruction of all goods and houses along the road.   In Gbarnga, the hospital had been completely looted, and looting was continuing even while the mission was visiting.  Other institutions had also been vandalized.  Local displaced people complained of forced labour and lack of food and health care.   They survived on wild yams and greens from the forest.

The mission reported that Zorzor was in ruins, with all buildingseither damaged or destroyed.  The destruction largely occurred before 2003.  Most of the population was displaced and survived on local agricultural production and commercial activities with Guinea.  The health situation was very poor, with signs of malnutrition amongsmall children.

On 10 November 2003, OCHA led a rapid assessment to Saclepea, which was facilitated by the United Nations Mission in Liberia.  The town appeared comparatively intact with minimal destruction.  However, anestimated 10,000 internally displaced persons fleeing skirmishes between former government fighters and Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL) rebels in Nimba county in north central Liberia have sought shelter in the relatively unscathed town.  Their arrival has overstretched the meagre resources of the resident population.  Internally displaced persons sites were visibly overcrowded with limited services.  Immediate needs included food assistance, non-food items, water and sanitation facilities, and enhancement of the health facilities.  A follow-up mission is planned this week to respond to humanitarian needs.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA New York, tel.: 917 367 5126, mobile: 917 892 1679; or Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA Geneva, tel.: 41 22 917 26 53, mobile: 41 (O) 79 473 45 70.

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