NGO warns of grave health risks among IDPs

The health situation facing internally displaced Liberians has deteriorated recently and mortality rates have risen above the emergency threshold, a new assessment reported on Tuesday. "Crude mortality rates are two times over the emergency threshold. Under five mortality rates are three times over the threshold," the International Rescue Committee (IRC) reported. "The situation deteriorated during the last months and requires urgent, continuous support from the international community. Compared with Liberian refugees, their situation [that of internally displaced persons, or IDPs] is much worse," IRC added. The agency's warning was based on a health assessment it conducted in July and August in IDP camps in Bong and Montserrado Counties, in north-central and western Liberia respectively. There are 14 camps housing at least 100,000 IDPs in Liberia. Eleven camps and schools were included in the IDP assessment. Five of the camps: Serghbeh, Blamese, Ricks, Wilson and Jartondo, are located in Montserrado County, which has an estimated IDP population of 77,000. The remaining six camps are in Bong County, where there is an estimated IDP population of 39,000 people. "132 deaths were reported between July 2001 and 13 August 2002 in Bong and Montserrado camps. Sixty six of the deaths were in children under five," the IRC reported. "Nearly 60 percent occurred during the months of July and August," it said, adding that this was "consistent with recent reports of IDP management teams during that period." According to the assessment, the number of latrines varies from 30 in Serghbeh camp to 200 in Blamese, but none of the camps meets the minimum Sphere standards for humanitarian relief of one pit latrine per 20 people. [see http://www.sphereproject.org/] The IRC said there was a need to increase the number of latrines to at least one per 50 people in the short term, and to construct emergency trench latrines. Water availability in the camps was a problem, too, the agency said, recommending: an increase in supply availability to 15 litres per person per day; that drinking water should be chlorinated; and that [water and sanitation] teams should be placed in camps to ensure access to safe water. The IRC said there should be an aggressive hygiene promotion campaign focusing on four messages: use of safe water sources, latrine usage, safe water handling, and the need for hand washing. "It is recommended that an additional health post be built, equipped and staffed in the Maimu 1 camp. Serghbeh health facilities should be provided with additional qualified staff and logistical support. Shelter needs of IDPs in Ganta need to be solved," the agency stated. Since May 2002, thousands of Liberians have been displaced as a result of clashes between government forces and dissidents. "The last wave of displacement has created additional needs in terms of shelter, health, sanitation and food aid," according to the IRC. Morbidity data from three health units in Ganta showed that malaria is the first cause of consultation, followed by diarrhoea, it said. Given the current situation and the worrying nature of scenarios that may arise, funding will need to be increased to meet IDP demands, the IRC added. However, the usual sources of funding are being reduced and response to the United Nations-led Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for 2002 had only received 22 percent of the funds requested by May. The full IRC assessment report