Emergency: Assistance to those affected by floods in Margibi County, Liberia

Date of Emergency: August 2006

Implementing Partner: ACT Liberia Forum

Details of the emergency: On 1 August 2006 heavy rains poured in some parts of the Monrovia-Roberts Field Highway in Margibi County, causing major floods that left nearly 2,000 persons homeless. The incident took place in a town called Joe Blow Town located 45 miles away from Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia. The floods, caused by clogged drainage that has not been cleared for over 20 years, have also affected surrounding towns and villages in Mambah Kaba District.

Preliminary assessments, including one done by the ACT Liberia Forum, indicated that a total of eight towns and villages with an estimated 2,670 persons comprising mainly women and children were affected by the floods. Of this number, about 1,760 persons have been displaced in various unfinished shelters as a result of the flood. The assessments found that many houses and properties, including an orphanage, were destroyed by the floods. Apart from facing a shortage of food, many of the villagers lost their belongings such as livestock, cassava and potato farms as well as clothes, school books, farming tools, mattresses and cooking utensils. Water and sanitation facilities are inadequate. With several reported incidents of diarrhoea, there is also a serious concern over possible threat of water-borne diseases in the affected areas.

Even though there have been some interventions by the Liberian Government and other non-governmental organisations like the Lutheran World Federation/Department for World Service, the Liberian Red Cross Society, Christian Aid Ministry and Lighthouse, there is still a great need to provide more assistance to those affected by the floods. Minimum assistance in the form of food, clothes and medication has been provided so far. Hence there is a need to provide food including rice and salt, and non-food items such as clothes, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, farming tools, tarpaulins and mats to those affected. This assistance will enable them to resettle and reintegrate into the communities in which they live. There is also a need to assist the flood victims to rebuild their damaged houses or shelters.

Purpose of Response: The RRF aims to provide immediate assistance to a total 900 persons affected by the floods in Joe Blow Town, Needrom, Koon’s Town, Sedrum Town and Suagbor in Margibi County. The sites for intervention were chosen because they were the most affected areas. Under this response, clothes, mosquito nets, food, water and sanitation, tarpaulins, mats, farming tools, limited building materials, mattresses, cooking utensils (pots, pans, spoons, bowls, etc) will be provided to the beneficiaries, most of whom are women and children.

Proposed Assistance: ACT Liberia Forum, through a team comprising of each representative from the various members of the Forum, will undertake the necessary activities to meet the needs of those affected by the floods. Activities will include meetings, assessment of the affected towns and villages, purchase of materials for distribution, preparation of distribution plan and distribution of items.

Implementation Period: The project will be implemented from 24 August 2006 to 23 November 2006. Because of the nature of the incidence, there will be no need for a follow up proposal. However, monitoring visits will be made by ACT Liberia Forum members to the areas of intervention.

BUDGET

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$33,385 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.