Highlights

• IOM distributed Non Food Items (NFIs) to 127 flood affected households in Dwazark. This is in addition to 40 NFI kits that had been distributed to flood affected households in Wellington.

• IOM finalized the fencing for Juba Barrack displacement site and is setting up 33 tents, donated by JICA to the Government of Sierra Leone, while partners are putting up water tanks, latrines and shower facilities.

• IOM provided three distributions of Infection, Prevention and Control supplies to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to support decontamination, cleaning and personal protection for burial teams and hospital staff.

Situation Overview

The floods and subsequent mudslides that occurred on 14 August 2017 resulted in 500 persons losing their lives, with an additional 800 persons still missing and over 1,000 households (4,300 individuals) rendered homeless. 1,819 are currently sheltered in collective centres (schools, mosques, churches) whereas another 2,476 are being hosted by families and relatives.* The majority of displaced persons are located in Dwazark, Gbangbayilla, Kamayama, Kaningo, and Regent. In addition, 112 households (over 500 individuals) are not displaced, but have been severely affected by the flooding, which has damaged their homes and/or assets. The majority are in Gbangabayilla, and another 623 households are in Culvert.

The Government of Sierra Leone, and particularly, the Office of National Security (ONS) is leading the response, with the support of partners on the ground. Pillars for Coordination, Health/Burial, Logistics, Social Mobilisation/Communication, Registration, WASH, Protection/Psychosocial, Food/Nutrition, Security/Safety, and NFI/Shelter (which includes Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM)) have been activated to coordinate the response. In coordination with the Government of Sierra Leone and partners, IOM aims to safeguard the health, security, privacy and dignity of women, men, boys and girls affected by the August 2017 flood and mudslide events in Freetown through the provision of NonFood Items (NFIs), Emergency Shelter, Enhanced Protection, Health Support, Data Collection and Analysis, and CCCM.

This data is being used by the Shelter Pillar and is based from the Ministry of Social Welfare’s registration and was reviewed by the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA).This data is not final and is currently being verified.

Once again, Sierra Leoneans mourn mass deaths of what is estimated to be 1000 deaths due to mudslides that happened slightly about two weeks ago. Coming shortly after the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic that hit the country along with Guinnea and Liberia in 2014 and affected over 14, 000 by January 2016, what lessons can the country draw from her Ebola crisis recovery efforts?

As of August 14, the government reported over 450 people had died from mudslides and floods, with victims largely those living in informal settlements. With hundreds of people still uncounted for, the shocking death toll was expected to rise substantially. However, what is not clear at the moment is the age disaggregation of victims.

A HelpAge International report on disasters and how they affect older persons showed that older people and those with disabilities are at greater risk of injury and harm due to mobility challenges. They are less likely to flee due to hardships associated with travel and a reluctance to leave home, land and possessions.

The spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea following flooding is also a huge concern, according to Alex Carle, director of international programmes at the British Red Cross.” The city’s drainage system got badly damaged by the torrential rains, leaving stagnant water in most areas,” Alex is quoted as telling the Press.

President Ernest Bai Koroma said the devastation “was overwhelming.” He appealed for urgent help to support the thousands of people affected by a devastating mudslide on the outskirts of the country’s capital.

As the country buried the dead within days of the crisis, it is clear that as the country enters the recovery phase it will need assistance to help the affected be back on their feet.

Older people are overlooked in Sierra Leone

Dr Prafulla Mishra, Africa Regional Director at HelpAge International said he fears about the status of older persons in the current crisis. “These are people who suffered the most when civil war and Ebola struck, and now this,” he noted.

In a country that has not had a national policy for older persons, Dr Prafulla noted that this crisis might further disenfranchise the older persons. He is however optimistic that the people of Sierra Leone will overcome even the current crisis. According to Glynnis Cummingsjohn, a Technical Inclusion Advisor, Ebola had a devastating impact on older people but also provided valuable lessons for future responses to crises that might arise.

For example, Glynnis cites the intergenerational approach that drew the youth and the older persons together while responding to Ebola. “A livelihoods programme we ran in the recovery phase of the crisis showed a renewed sense of purpose among people of various age groups and social class, key lessons that could come in handy in the current mudslide crisis.

The intergenerational approach to the response, particularly now when aid groups are delivering supplies and helping provide clean water to prevent a health crisis, will be boosted by the recent moves by the government which has increasingly opened up to the needs of older persons after years when they did not even feature in the country’s constitution. The government is currently putting together the National Ageing Policy with the support of the HelpAge International.

Appropriate response

In 2016, Age International, Restless Development and HelpAge International (with support from the Disasters Emergency Committee) carried out the ‘Rebuilding sustainable livelihoods’ programme in 60 communities in Bonthe and Moyamba districts of Sierra Leone. The programme aimed to help revive and strengthen older people’s livelihoods during the Ebola Virus Disease recovery phase.

The programme blended HelpAge’s expertise in supporting the income security of older people with Restless Development’s youth volunteer-led livelihoods model and long-standing presence in the target districts and communities.

It enabled young people to play a key role in training older people in business and savings and loan skills, and in supporting them to develop their own livelihood initiatives. This assistance was delivered through the formation of Older People’s Associations (OPAs) in each of the targeted communities.

A total of 85 OPAs were formed in the 60 communities, each with 20 members over the age of 50 (selected based on their vulnerability) – directly reaching a total of 1,700 older people. With the exception of the need to have one literate secretary per OPA, there were no disability, gender or literacy criteria that could inhibit participation. The OPAs included older widows and widowers, older people living with a disability (PLWD), older people caring for grandchildren, EVD survivors, and those who had lost primary breadwinners during the EVD outbreak.

From the money raised through saving deposits and interest, OPAs were able to start distributing loans. OPA members drew on the savings and loan scheme – and the skills taught by youth volunteers – to establish or expand their own livelihood initiatives. These loans became known as Village Savings Loans (VSLs).

In all communities visited, older women and men said the respectful attitude and encouragement of the youth volunteers helped them to participate, leading them to learn much from the training. As one older man in Njama, Moyamba, reflected: “[It was] interesting and admirable for a young man to impart his knowledge.”

Youth volunteers agreed, finding that the best strategies to overcome older people’s scepticism – especially in the first three months – were encouragement, patience and storytelling. Ensuring the training sessions were “dialogue, not monologue,” and encouraging older people to share their experiences with past successes and failures in businesses they had run, helped promote mutual respect and the feeling of “older-people centred learning”.

Though youth volunteers were able to allay older people’s concerns through storytelling and talking, often they had to overcome their own doubts and scepticism about teaching older people.

In Mano, Moyamba, a male youth volunteer said: “Before, I could not imagine working with older people, I had doubts. The older people are old enough to have given birth to my parents. I could not imagine myself as a young man teaching [them]. But it was a revelation, to stand in front of the older people, imparting knowledge to them.” Another male mentor, in Mano, Moyamba, reflected that: “I was doubtful before. But now, I have no iota of doubt within me about the older people. Of course I know that they can do it.”

Before the programme’s launch, foundation training for youth volunteers sought to dispel misgivings about intergenerational teaching and learning.

Development programme manager said: “A lot of convincing had to happen first, because if [the volunteers] didn’t believe it, the [older people] wouldn’t believe it.” Ultimately, the strategy seems to have been very successful: volunteers across both districts applauded the foundation training, and said it prepared them for age-related challenges ahead. The training aimed to build understanding and empathy among volunteers for the day-to-day challenges older people face, and the need for flexibility and creativity when leading sessions.

Volunteers said the training exercises strengthened their communication skills for engaging with older people, and provided strategies for teaching those who (often because of their age) had difficulty timekeeping, paying attention, or grasping unfamiliar concepts. Just as importantly, the training encouraged youth volunteers to believe in older people’s capabilities, and in their own ability to teach them.

Moreover, older people applauded the youth volunteers for the skills they developed, resulting in some having greater belief in the power of young leaders. The Town Chief of Nyandehun, Bonthe, said: “[young people have the] potential to lead change. John and Mina [the national and community volunteers] are evidence of that fact. It’s John and Mina now, but it can be another youth tomorrow.”

About HelpAge International

HelpAge International is a global network of organisations promoting the right of all older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives.

For more information, contact

Mr Henry Neondo, Regional Communications Coordinator, HelpAge International. Tel: +254721361608; Email: henry.neondo@helpage.org; Skype: henry.neondo15

INTRODUCTION

This report is a comprehensive presentation of all data on migration gathered through IOM’s DTM programme for May -June.

This report is part of DTM’s effort to provide a comprehensive analytical report on Libya’s current migration profile. Designed in response to feedback provided in DTM’s feedback survey, this report is monthly compilation of DTM Libya’s multiple products. Each chapter is either a newly developed analysis or revised version of data previously published. The aim of this report is to provide partners with a single monthly document that consolidates DTM’s findings on migration in one document. As DTM refines it reporting templates the following issue will prioritise the timeliness of these reports.

Chapter 1 presents Libya’s comprehensive baseline on the number of migrants by nationality and location currently identified across the entire country. Based on DTM’s round 11 Mobility Tracking data which took place between May and June 2017 there are 390,198 migrants in Libya. This is recorded as a minor decrease of 1% from the number identified in the previous round. The majority of migrants continued to be located in the regions of Misrata, Tripoli and Almargeb; 54% of them were reported to have arrived to Libya within six months of data collection.

To better gauge the profiles, routes and intentions of Libya’s migrant population, Chapter 2 presents an analysis into DTM’s Flow Monitoring surveys carried out in June and July with 5,316 migrants across 39 baladiya. In each report we try to highlight new findings and deeper analysis of the migration profile and characteristics in Libya. Libya continues to be not only a transit country for migrants willing to continue to Europe but also the final destination for 58% of migrants surveyed during the reporting period.

The variation of the choice of the country of final destination varies depending on the country of origin; Egyptian and Nigerian nationals are becoming more and more interested in staying in Libya rather than continuing to a European country.

On the other hand the proportion of Sudanese nationals who are willing to stay in Libya decreased from 66% in the last reporting period to 54%.

In terms of migration routes, Algeria is continuing to be a new pivotal route used by migrants especially Malian nationals recently coming to the country (80% of Malian nationals who came before less than 2 weeks prior to the date of interview reported passing through Algeria).

Chapter 3 presents the statistical findings on both the absolute and estimated number of arrival and departures from across 134 locations covered by DTM in 20 regions during the months of June to July. This chapter quantifies the absolute and estimated daily observed arrivals and departures, by nationality, area of departure and intended country of destination. This chapter is complemented by a regional analysis of Tobruk, Nalut, Al Kufra, Wadi Ashshati, Murzuq and Misrata. This chapter provides a greater contextual understanding related to why migrants are transiting through these specific areas and provides greater evidence as to why certain routes are more frequently used over others.

The 4th and final chapter of this report presents IOM Libya’s latest Maritime Incident reports.

CAMEROON

15 KILLED AND 8 KIDNAPPED NEAR KOLOFATA

Suspected Boko Haram militants attacked Gakara village just outside the town of Kolofata, near the Nigerian border, on the night of 24 August, killing 15 people and kidnapping 8 others, officials said on 25 August. The attackers burned down around 30 houses. Kolofata hosts a large displaced population but the area has become a frequent target of suicide bombings, thus constraining access to humanitarian aid.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

DETERIORATING ACCESS IN BATANGAFO

Threats by armed groups surrounding the town of Batangafo, in north-western Ouham prefecture, have caused two aid organizations to reduce their activities. On 23 August, a joint government, UN and INGO mission was conducted to sensitize local leaders on the need to respect humanitarian principles. The situation has been deteriorating with armed groups prohibiting the population from going further than 2km outside the town and preventing IDPs from accessing the market.

DR CONGO

MORE THAN 170 PEOPLE UNACCOUNTED FOR IN ITURI

More than 10 days after a landslide ravaged the village of Tara in Ituri Province, in the north-east of the country, national authorities have revised the toll to 174 people presumed dead. So far, 33 bodies have been recovered and buried. There are 57 survivors, and 10 injured still receiving care at the hospital.
Around 280 children have been orphaned. A response and recovery plan developed by the provincial authorities will be shared with humanitarian actors. Priorities include assistance to affected people and the relocation of villages in areas currently at risk.

NIGER

FLOODS IN NIAMEY KILL 2

On 27 August, two people died in floods in Niamey following heavy rains that poured down on the capital city area. Since the beginning of the rainy season in May, 16 people have lost their lives in the sole region of Niamey, according to media reports. The authorities have asked people living in atrisk areas to relocate to safer neighborhoods. As of 21 August, floods have affected 64,616 people, and caused the death of 38 persons across the country. Aid organizations are providing NFIs and food supplies to those affected. The population at risk of floods is estimated at a total of 157,000 people.

NIGERIA

INCREASE IN CHILDREN USED AS SUICIDE BOMBERS

According to UNICEF, 83 children have been forced to become suicide bombers in north-east Nigeria since January 2017 (55 girls, 27 boys and one baby). The number is four times higher than for the entire year of 2016, raising concerns about the increasing trend of forced recruitment and exploitation of children by Boko Haram. Children who escaped or were released from captivity are now facing suspicion, stigmatization or rejection across communities.

SIERRA LEONE

RELOCATION OF AFFECTED PEOPLE TO START THIS WEEK

Two temporary sites have been identified in Freetown, the capital city, to relocate the most vulnerable people affected by the 14 August landslide and flash floods. A total of over 6,000 persons have been directly affected, and 810 are still reported missing. The official death toll is now around 600 deaths, many of which are still unidentified. While the search for bodies will likely be ended in the coming days, corpses have been retrieved as far as Conakry, in Guinea. Initial food and non-food items distributions have been completed and a cash transfer programme is due to start on 29 August.

CAMEROUN

15 PERSONNES TUÉES ET 8 ENLEVÉES PRÈS DE KOLOFATA

Dans la nuit du 24 août, des membres présumés de Boko Haram ont attaqué le village de Gakara, juste à la sortie de la ville de Kolofata, près de la frontière nigériane, tuant 15 personnes et en kidnappant 8 autres, selon une déclaration officielle le 25 août. Les assaillants ont incendié environ 30 maisons. Kolofata accueille de nombreux déplacés et la zone est devenue la cible d'attentats suicides fréquents, limitant ainsi l'accès à l'aide humanitaire.

RÉPUBLIQUE CENTRAFRICAINE

DÉTÉRIORATION DE L'ACCÈS À BATANGAFO

Des menaces de groupes armés entourant la ville de Batangafo, dans la préfecture de l'Ouham, au nord-ouest, ont poussé deux organisations humanitaires à réduire leurs activités. Le 23 août, une mission conjointe du gouvernement, des Nations Unies et d’ONG internationales a été menée pour sensibiliser les dirigeants locaux à la nécessité de respecter les principes humanitaires.
La situation s'est détériorée et les groupes armés interdisent à la population de sortir audelà de 2 km de la ville et empêchent les personnes déplacées d'accéder au marché.

RD CONGO

PLUS DE 170 PERSONNES DISPARUES EN ITURI

Plus de 10 jours après le glissement de terrain qui a ravagé le village de Tara dans la province de l'Ituri, au nord-est du pays, les autorités nationales ont révisé le bilan à 174 personnes présumées mortes. Jusqu'à présent, 33 corps ont été retrouvés et enterrés. Cinquante-sept survivants et 10 blessés continuent de recevoir des soins à l'hôpital. Environ 280 enfants sont devenus orphelins. Un plan de réponse et de relance élaboré par les autorités provinciales sera bientôt partagé avec les acteurs humanitaires. Les priorités comprennent l'assistance aux personnes affectées et la relocalisation des villages qui se situent dans les zones actuellement menacées.

NIGER

DE NOUVELLES INONDATIONS À NIAMEY FONT DEUX MORTS

Le 27 août, deux personnes sont mortes dans des inondations à Niamey suite aux fortes pluies qui se sont abattues sur la capitale. Depuis le début de la saison des pluies en mai dernier, 16 personnes ont perdu la vie dans la seule région de Niamey, selon les incidents rapportés dans la presse. Les autorités ont demandé aux personnes vivant dans des zones à risque de se réinstaller dans des quartiers plus sûrs. Depuis le 21 août, les inondations ont affecté 64 616 personnes et ont causé la mort de 38 personnes à travers le pays. Les organisations d'aide fournissent des articles non-alimentaires et de la nourriture aux personnes sinistrées. Le nombre de personnes confrontées au risque d'inondations est estimé à 157 000 au total.

NIGERIA

HAUSSE DU NOMBRE D’ENFANTS UTILISÉS DANS LES ATTENTATS

Selon l'UNICEF, 83 enfants ont été forcés de participer à des attentats-suicide au nord-est du Nigeria depuis janvier 2017 (55 filles, 27 garçons et un bébé). Ce nombre est quatre fois plus élevé que pour toute l'année 2016, suscitant de vives inquiétudes quant à la tendance croissante de recrutement et d'exploitation des enfants par Boko Haram. Les enfants qui se sont échappés ou qui ont été délivrés sont maintenant confrontés aux suspicions, à la stigmatisation ou au rejet dans leur communauté.

SIERRA LEONE

DÉBUT DE LA RELOCALISATION DES PERSONNES AFFECTÉES

Deux sites temporaires ont été identifiés dans la capitale Freetown, pour relocaliser les personnes les plus vulnérables touchées par les inondations et les glissements de terrain du 14 août. Au total, plus de 6 000 personnes ont été directement touchées, et 810 sont toujours portées disparues. Le nombre officiel de morts est maintenant d'environ 600, dont beaucoup n'ont pas encore été identifiés. Les recherches prendront probablement fin dans les prochains jours, et des corps ont été retrouvés jusqu'à Conakry, en Guinée. Les distributions initiales de produits alimentaires et non alimentaires sont terminées et un programme de coupons devrait débuter le 29 août.

This update is produced by the UNDAC team in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Sierra Leone, liaising with the Office of National Security and humanitarian partners.

Situation overview

New flooding appeared on the night between Saturday and Sunday 26/27 August in downtown Freetown, and has flooded a health centre, the bridge and a school at Kroo Bay. One person is reported dead and two injured. The WHO team has assessed the damage to Kroo Bay Health Facility where flooding waters destroyed health records, drugs and supplies, mosquito net stock piles and medical equipment. WHO and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation is working to meet immediate health needs in the community including replenishment of supplies and redirection of services. Mental health nurses provide psychosocial support including trauma counselling and referrals in all affected areas. Enhanced surveillance is ongoing for key priority diseases.

Two temporary sites have been set up to relocate the most vulnerable people affected by landslide and flash floods; Old Skool at Hill Station has a planned capacity of 100? households, and Juba Barracks a facility to house at least 50 households by tents. The numbers may alter after the end of the verification process.

The verification of registered affected persons led by Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs took place on 26-27-28 August with support from several humanitarian partners. A total of 1,424 households were verified and/or newly registered bringing the total of directly affected people to 5,962 including 904 children under 5 years and 113 pregnant women. The verification process also included questions on the impact of the disaster. 78% of households reported the death of family member in Regent community (compared to 2% in Juba for instance). 47% had their house destroyed and 89% are eager to be relocated, mainly to a rented place in Freetown (49%) or a shelter/site (27%).

A cash transfer programme with two proposed packages (for those in sites and for those willing to rent or in host families) was presented to partners at the ONS meeting on 28 August. However, the Cabinet asked ONS and partners to consider also other options and to include cash transfers in a more comprehensive programme aiming at longer term solutions.

A survey done by the Ministry of Water Resources and Care International in greater Freetown flooded communities, shows that there is an alarming contamination of faecal coliforms in water sources and actively used community wells. Thus, the risk of disease outbreaks remains high due to the seasonal flooding of wells and latrines, proliferation of mosquitoes, and overcrowded and suboptimal living conditions. WHO is supporting local authorities to heighten surveillance and preparedness for malaria, waterborne diseases and other potential outbreaks.

Map shows Pillar presence at shelter sites as reported by ONS, and an assessment of whether needs are being met, derived from ONS and UNDAC Who-What-Where reports.

For most pillars there is not enough information on Who-What-Where to know whether needs are being met.

Map shows an overview of service provision as reported by actors, shown in the ONS incident reports dated 24th, 25th and 28th August 2017 or in the UNDAC 4W online survey forms. Information covers 23 to 28 August, 2017.

Details of the service provided are shown where available. Question marks show where activities have been identified but no provider is recorded.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNFPA’s Maternal Health Thematic Fund (MHTF) is a catalytic fund, aligned with country-led processes to address health system bottlenecks; promote innovations; strengthen partnership; and focus on scalable, high-impact interventions to improve and safeguard the health and well-being of women and girls. It supports evidence-based programming in 39 countries with the highest burden of maternal mortality and morbidity, taking an integrated approach that brings together the areas of midwifery, obstetric fistula, emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC), maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) and first-time young mothers (FTYMs). All interventions are strategically selected to have the greatest impact. The Thematic Fund complements UNFPA Supplies; together, they work to enable women and girls to make fundamental decisions about their own bodies, attain the highest possible standard of sexual and reproductive health, and exercise their reproductive rights.

This report highlights the key results achieved over Phase II of the MHTF, from 2014 to 2016, structured around the three cross-cutting principles of accountability, equality of access and quality of care, as outlined in the MHTF Business Plan Phase II (2014-2017). The report foregrounds the MHTF’s role in supporting health systems strengthening, and addresses its catalytic nature, its promotion of sustainability and its strong emphasis on advancing innovation. A vision and direction are outlined for the third phase of the MHTF, which will be further elaborated in a forthcoming Business Plan Phase III (2018-2021).

The MHTF during its second phase continued to demonstrate its unique value at the forefront of supporting countries to lead and accelerate the delivery of improved maternal health information and services for women and girls. It has assisted the development of national policies and programmes; strengthened national technical capacities and the collection, analysis and use of data; and backed global, regional and national advocacy for maternal health (and sexual and reproductive health more generally). It has reinforced UNFPA’s role and visibility as a global maternal health leader and convener focused on evidence-based, high-impact interventions spanning clinical and health systems strengthening as well as multisectoral approaches, all under the umbrella of fundamental human rights and gender equality principles.

Headline results from 2014 to 2016 include 19,200 estimated maternal deaths averted in the 39 MHTF-supported countries. Around 39,000 fistula surgical repairs were provided through targeted programming to “leave no one behind,” in tandem with over 90 partners in the Campaign to End Fistula, which also addresses the reintegration of survivors with their families and communities. In midwifery, the MHTF supported countries to develop and implement comprehensive policies for education and regulation with over 32,000 midwives supported in both pre-service education and in-service training, and over 300 midwifery schools strengthened. The MHTF has helped countries to strengthen strategic planning, development and monitoring for national EmONC facility networks, with the “availability of EmONC” in 21 countries reaching on average 30 per cent of the EmONC international standard. Six countries had the capacity to regularly monitor the availability and quality of EmONC services. All 39 countries have initiated an MDSR programme; 70 per cent are implementing it at a national scale. An additional area of focus introduced in Phase II was first-time young mothers, aimed at increasing the number of deliveries with a skilled birth attendant, boosting uptake of post-partum family planning to prevent or space pregnancies, and enhancing agency in decision-making related to SRHR. As a result, 19 countries have prioritized FTYMs in their national reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH) plans.

Partnerships have been critical to the MHTF at all levels in Phase II – country, regional and global. UNFPA successfully drew on MHTF interventions and results to contribute to various initiatives and partnerships, including Every Woman, Every Child; the H6 Partnership; the Global Financing Facility; the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; and the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa, to highlight a few.

In Phase II, the MHTF has comprised two multidonor funding streams: the Thematic Trust Fund for Maternal Health and the Thematic Fund for Obstetric Fistula. An operating budget of approximately $59.7 million from 2014 to 2016 has had an implementation rate above 90 per cent, with 81 per cent of funding targeting the country and regional levels. This underscores the MHTF’s high absorption capacity with tangible results achieved, and a real opportunity to deliver more results with more resources.

In looking forward to UNFPA’s new Strategic Plan (2018-2021), a third phase of the MHTF is now being elaborated to support the achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health, to realize reproductive rights and to reduce maternal mortality, all towards accelerating progress on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda. This new phase will build on results achieved, capitalize on lessons learned and draw on emerging opportunities to offer support that is ambitious, far-reaching and innovative. Quality, equitable and accountable maternal health services will be at the heart of all activities, towards advancing improved health and well-being for women and girls, leaving no one behind and reaching the furthest behind first. The MHTF’s commitment and vision is to emphatically change the maternal health paradigm from one where hundreds of thousands of women and girls in the developing world still die from preventable pregnancy-related causes or suffer a severe pregnancy-related morbidity, to one where women and girls have access to quality sexual and reproductive health services that allow them to survive and thrive, transform their lives and their societies, and drive realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

August 30, 2017, Vienna, Austria. The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has approved an emergency assistance grant to help procure essential relief supplies for mudslide victims in Sierra Leone and support emergency operations. The grant will be channeled through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Torrential rains and a series of mudslides in the hillside towns of the capital Freetown have destroyed or damaged nearly 1,000 homes and properties and caused numerous fatalities. Thousands of people are homeless and in need of immediate assistance.

Interventions are focusing on providing shelter materials, household and non-food items, clothing and kitchen equipment, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to reduce the risk of water- and vector-borne diseases. Unconditional cash grants will be extended to families whose homes have been destroyed.

Since the onset of the disaster, the IFRC has been working with the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Food Program, local authorities and ministries, and other entities, to help address people’s most urgent needs.

IFRC’s latest appeal, which OFID will support with a US$200,000 grant, will fund emergency and recovery services for nearly 5,000 people. OFID’s relationship with the IFRC spans 20 years during which more than 70 operations have been supported to the tune of around US$24 million.

At least 500 people, including 150 children, have died in the floods and landslides in Freetown, with hundreds more missing. The scale and trauma of the disaster that took place in the capital of Sierra Leone on August 14 is becoming clear.

Nearly 6,000 Freetown residents have been directly affected and more than 800 have been reported missing. With a presence in Sierra Leone for the past 21 years, Handicap International is on the ground, providing critical support.

Our team is helping to identify and record casualties as well develop an emergency response plan. As part of this response, HI is coordinating the provision of psychological first-aid to people who have lost their homes and loved ones, as well as physical rehabilitation for those with injuries.

HI teams are training groups responding to the disaster to help them identify vulnerable people who may need specific assistance. We know that people with disabilities, older people, and other marginalized groups can face difficulties in the days and weeks following a crisis. This can include difficulties accessing humanitarian assistance such as food, water, and shelter. Our colleagues are there, making sure that no one is left on the sidelines.

Our teams are also evaluating the immediate and longer-term needs of 400 of the worst affected households. It may be necessary to provide support with school materials and fees to ensure that children do not drop out of school, or to take additional measures to protect vulnerable orphans and young women from the risk of exploitation and abuse.

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL IN SIERRA LEONE

Since 1996, Handicap International's Sierra Leone team has promoted the mainstream schooling of children with disabilities. In 2016, we played an active role in combating the Ebola epidemic, which killed some 4,000 people and infected nearly 15,000 others, by organizing transport for patients to health centers. More about our work in Sierra Leone.

Action Against Hunger urges rapid, joint action to prevent disease outbreaks

by Action Against Hunger USA, August 22, 2017

Last week, flash floods killed over 490 people in Sierra Leone's capital city, Freetown. To date, a large number of people are still reported missing and an estimated 6,000 altogether have been affected by the destruction.

Following a needs assessments coordinated by the government of Sierra Leone, Action Against Hunger and key partners[1] quickly mobilized resources and launched a response to the emergency.

“The most urgent and immediate needs of people affected by these massive floods are safe drinking water, access to sanitation facilities, shelter, medication, blankets and psychological support. Disease outbreaks, especially cholera, are a big threat that will require joint efforts from all of us to protect the health of those at risk,” said Action Against Hunger Country Director for Sierra Leone, Abdelgadir Ahmed.

The flash floods caused deadly mudslides, swept away latrines and other sanitary facilities, and flooded and contaminated wells, cutting off people's access to clean water. Unsafe sanitary conditions are elevating the risk of waterborne diseases and endangering public health in the densely populated urban neighborhoods of Freetown affected by the flooding.

To respond to people's most urgent needs for daily supplies of safe drinking water, the government and Action Against Hunger's partners are installing eight water tanks of 5,000 liters in the affected communities. These tanks will be filled twice a day to meet the needs of families who have been left with no safe sources of clean water.

In parallel, Action Against Hunger has already delivered emergency hygiene kits to 200 families to improve sanitation and health. The kits include water buckets, water purification tablets, bathing soap, powdered laundry soap, bowls, sanitary pads, bleach, and jerry cans. Action Against Hunger also delivered supplies of bottled water to 74 families to meet their urgent daily needs while the water kiosks are being installed.

Action Against Hunger is also conducting hygiene promotion sessions with families affected by the floods to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera. Ensuring that communities at risk have access to safe water, soap, and information about the importance of handwashing to prevent disease can help reduce the risk of outbreaks and illness enormously. In some cases, rates of illness from diarrhea have been reduced by almost 40 percent by widespread public hygiene promotion sessions and handwashing.

[1] Action Against Hunger is a partner of the Sierra Leone WASH Consortium, which is comprised of four humanitarian organizations with expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions.

Map shows indicators of water quality sampled by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Water Resources at hand-dug wells, GVWC, springs and spring boxes in Freetown, two weeks after the August 2017 landslide.

The left-hand map shows the percentage of people who have received assistance, as reported by ONS on 29 Aug 2017.

The right-hand map shows the percentage of household heads that have resumed livelihood activities across the affected areas, as reported by ONS on 29 Aug 2017.

Map shows the number of vulnerable individuals affected by the landslide and flash flooding for different affected areas. Numbers are based on verified registration figures issued by ONS on 29th August 2017.

"The bodies in all likelihood come from Sierra Leone since there have been no alerts about boats that have capsized"

CONAKRY, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The bodies of 19 people thought to have perished in a mudslide in Sierra Leone more than a fortnight ago have washed up on Guinea's shores, the government in Conakry said on Wednesday.

Read more on Reuters

FEATURE

Nepal

AFFECTED AREAS

Central, eastern and western regions

CAUSE OF DISPLACEMENT

Disaster

FIGURES

More than 391,000 new displacements between 11 and 20 August

Context

More than 391,000 people (91,000 households) were displaced by monsoon rains between 11 and 20 August in 28 of Nepal’s 75 districts, concentrated in the eastern, central and western regions. The overall rain reached its heaviest in 15 years, triggering large-scale flooding and landslides. It damaged crops and created shortages in safe drinking water, affecting over 6 million people in total (Aljazeera, 14 August 2017; NRCS, 17 August 2017; UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nepal, 20 August 2017). Earlier floods and landslides displaced about 190 people across 41 districts between 8 and 28 July 2017 (OCHA, 28 July 2017).

The three major agro-ecological zones are the Sahelian, the Sudanese and the Coastal zones where production and consumption can be easily classified. (1) In the Sahelian zone, millet is the principal cereal cultivated and consumed particularly in rural areas and increasingly, when accessible, in urban areas. Exceptions include Cape Verde where maize and rice are most important, Mauritania where sorghum and maize are staples, and Senegal with rice. The principal substitutes in the Sahel are sorghum, rice, and cassava flour (Gari), the latter two in times of shortage. (2) In the Sudanese zone (southern Chad, central Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, southern Burkina Faso, Mali,
Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Serra Leone, Liberia) maize and sorghum constitute the principal cereals consumed by the majority of the population. They are followed by rice and tubers, particularly cassava and yam. (3) In the Coastal zone, with two rainy seasons, yam and maize constitute the most important food products. They are supplemented by cowpea, which is a significant source of protein.

The three trade basins are known as the West, Central, and East basins. In addition to the north to south movement of particular commodities, certain cereals flow horizontally. (1) The West basin refers to Mauritania, Senegal, western Mali, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and The Gambia where rice is most heavily traded. (2) The Central basin consists of Côte d'Ivoire, central and eastern Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo where maize is commonly traded. (3) The East basin refers to Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Benin where millet is traded most frequently. These three trade basins are shown on the map above.