FREETOWN
QUESTION: What are your responsibilities as United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator ?
ANSWER: To liaise with the government and various authorities in the country on behalf of the international community, to identify Sierra Leoneans who are in need of international assistance and to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed.
Q: How would you characterise the humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone?
A: At the moment the humanitarian situation is full of challenges. A while ago it was catastrophic and we were very worried about the future. Now several doors have been opened. The key issue is to be able to respond to these challenges.
Q: What are these challenges ?
A: There are three elements to this.
First, a large section of the population has been displaced for the past 8-9 years and they must be identified and helped. Some cannot survive without assistance. Others need assistance to help them put the past behind them.
Second, the peace process is creating an enabling environment for
change and humanitarian action is at the heart of this process. It is difficult to maintain peace where people lack basic medicines, shelter and food.
Third, the humanitarian community will lay the foundations to
accelerate future political and economic development in the country.
Q: What concrete action is being taken by the UN to alleviate the
humanitarian situation ?
A: As a neutral international body we can provide reliable information which will enable governments and others to decide what assistance is required. This is why we are coordinating humanitarian assessment missions to different parts of Sierra Leone. Next Tuesday (6 July) a party of UN agencies, international NGOs and local NGOs will meet senior RUF commanders
in Buedu near the Liberian border where we will discuss the possibility of carrying out humanitarian assessment missions in RUF-held areas in parts of Eastern and Northern Sierra Leone. Specifically, we will make requests to make interagency assessments to Makeni, Kambia, Magburaka, Masingbi, Kono,
Segbwema and Kabala.
Another way in which we can help is to use our contacts and expertise to mobilise international action, particularly in matters relating to humanitarian assistance. In this context we are currently reviewing our appeal which we issued in January to seek international financial support from the international donor community for Sierra Leone.
Q: Why is it so important for you to meet senior RUF commanders ?
Both the Government and the RUF agreed to provide free and unhindered access to areas under their control in a statement issued at Lome. Humanitarian agencies have had very little contact with the RUF throughout the war with the exception of the International Committee of the Red Cross and so it is important that we meet them.
Access has to be managed in a way that is effectively and safely
implemented. For this reason we have to meet the RUF command to
establish basic operational procedures for humanitarian agencies in RUF areas, to ensure the obligation of the RUF to provide safety for agencies and their beneficiaries, and to take practical steps to start assessments of the humanitarian situation.
Another issue is that the RUF command structure is unfamiliar to us and we will be more assured if we are in direct contact with them. We hope that the RUF High command will inform all RUF commanders across the country of the commitments which they make at the meeting.
With regard to the government the situation is different as we are already working in many areas under their control.
Q: The mission has already been delayed? What guarantees do you have that it will take place?
A: We have received firm guarantees from all the parties and we know that the RUF is waiting for us. We had some logistical difficulties last week. I am confident that the mission will proceed.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions