This Situation Report No. A formal budget revision for this appeal is in process. Since the beginning of the year there has been relative peace in Liberia; however, the situation remains tense, the climate volatile and conditions extremely harsh for returnees given the almost total absence of infrastructure in place to assist them upon their return. As a result of renewed fighting in Sierra Leone, and precarious security in both Liberia and Guinea-Bissau, the refugee caseload in neighbouring Guinea Conakry has continued to swell, reaching a total of , Given the constantly-changing and highly unpredictable environment in West Africa, the objectives described in the Emergency Appeal have been reviewed in respect to programmes in Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Although needs remain considerable in Liberia, given funding constraints which continue to jeopardise programme implementation the objectives for the operations in Liberia have also been revised. Separate situation reports are available for Guinea and Liberia and a new Appeal was launched for assistance in Sierra Leone. The peace accord for Sierra Leone signed on 7 July in Togo has the commitment of all parties to the conflict and there is hope that stability will gradually return, despite sporadic outbreaks of fighting.
The humanitarian situation in the country is, however, dramatic with hundreds of thousands of displaced and homeless, severe shortages of food accompanied by high levels of malnutrition, particularly amongst the A social welfare programme has begun with the identification of volunteers and the setting up of offices. Out of ten income-generating projects, only two have proved successful and there is a need for an in-depth evaluation of the project criteria.
Returnees are issued with various practical items, including tools, to facilitate their return to Liberia. Numbers of refugees who remain in Guinea are difficult to calculate, particularly as there are many cases of refugees coming back to Guinea. However, if the project is to continue, the purchase of a vehicle will be necessary.
Local Branch personnel are aware of the need for behaviour change in order to reduce the incidence of cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases. Over the semester, the Development Delegate undertook training sessions with five Branches in order to familiarise staff and volunteers with the Red Cross Movement and to provide guidance on good governance issues.
