Risk Mapping Sierra Leone

Transcription

1 Risk Mapping Sierra Leone Sector Disaster Risk Reduction & Emergency Aid January 2012 Evelien Thieme Groen & Carolien Jacobs

2 Table of Contents Fast Facts 3 HAZARDS 3 Epidemics and other poverty-related health risks 3 Deforestation and erosion 3 Floods and landslides 3 Climate change 4 Conflicts 4 VULNERABILITY 4 Indicators 4 CAPACITY 5 Government 5 Civil society 5 Local Cordaid Partners 5 International cooperation 6 SYNTHESIS 6 Resources & Contacts 6 Appendix: hazard map Sierra Leone 2

3 Republic of Sierra Leone Fast Facts 1 Capital: Freetown Population: 6 mln. Population Density: 79 people/sq.km (in Freetown 1224) Administrative regions: 4 geographical regions, 14 districts. Major ethnic groups: 35% Temne (in north), 31% Mende (south-east), Limbo, Kono, Mandingo, Fula, Krio Major religion: 77% Islam, 21% Christian Official languages: English Climate: tropical along coast, dry savannah in north. Rain: may-october, with peak in July- Aug. Pop. Affected by natural disasters (average/year/mln people): 361 World Risk Index: 33 (173) Cordaid sectors: CT, H&W, Entrepreneurship Hazards Between 1991 and 2002 a civil war was sweeping through Sierra Leone, causing the death of an estimated 50 thousand people and displacing millions of people. 2 In comparison to the devastating impact of the civil war, current hazards are only minor. It is argued that in Sierra Leone most hazards are man-made and related to the low level of development, resulting in poor housing, infrastructure, and hygienic conditions. Many of these risks tend to be higher in densely populated places such as the capital town. 3 Epidemics and other poverty-related health risks Although health care in Sierra Leone has improved since the end of the civil war, there is still a long way to go. Infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world and life expectancy is low. Malaria is the main cause of illness and death. Acute respiratory illnesses, STI, and diarrhoea are other significant threats, as well as tuberculosis and lassa fever. Most of the illnesses are endemic to Sierra Leone but frequently occur in epidemics as well. 4 People working in the mining sector run higher health risks, but little detail is available on the specific risks. 5 Deforestation and erosion About 38% of Sierra Leone s land is covered by forest, but this area is decreasing, principally as a result of clearances through slash-and-burn agriculture, but also as a result of logging and mining. Only about 14% of the forest is owned and controlled - by the state, the remainder is in the hands of individuals, communities, or businesses and therefore more difficult to control. 6 Deforestation is a serious concern for Sierra Leone as it has an impact on the prevalence of flooding, mudslides, landslides, erosion, and water shortage. 7 Floods and landslides The city of Freetown has grown rapidly during and after the civil war. Many people have settled in precarious conditions, not worrying about resistance of their housing against adverse weather conditions. 1 viewed on Human Rights Watch Sierra Leone: Getting away with murder, mutilation and rape. Human Rights Watch, New York. Cf. Bellows, J. and Miguel, E War and local collective action in Sierra Leone, Journal of Public Economics 93: Cf. MENA FN News, No more sympathy- President Koroma declares war on disaster-prone communities, National News, More houses in Freetown are potential death traps, viewed on viewed on Sipkins, S Sierra Leone mining and environment (LEONE Case), viewed on Forestry dept. FAO, 2010, Global Forest Resources Assesment 2010 Country Report Sierra Leone, viewed on Sierra Leone- National progress report on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action, 2009, viewed on

4 As a result, floods and landslides regularly cause substantial damage in the city of Freetown. 8 Deforestation and erosion aggravate the risk of floods and landslides. Climate change It has been argued that changes in temperature and weather are already changing patterns of droughts, floods and availability of water in Sierra Leone. 9 Conflicts Sierra Leone has known a prolonged civil war with various roots; mismanagement and corruption within the state, neglect of the provinces, poverty, disaffected youth [ ] and the involvement of external actors, such as former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who supported the RUF. The conflict was further exacerbated by a proliferation of small arms in the region, and by the availability of large income streams to rebel groups from the mining of diamonds (DFID, 2004:5). 10 Although war has come to an end, many of these factors continue to constitute a potential source for new conflicts. 11 Most of the ex-combatants have been integrated in army/police or have been re-educated. Generally, people are fed up with war and willingness to take up arms again is low. Dissatisfaction with the current socio-economic state of affairs however, is widespread among the youth and potential unrest would most likely come from this group. 12 Vulnerability Indicators 13 Human Development Index (out of 187) 180 Adult literacy rate (% aged >15) 40.9 GDP per capita (USD) 734 Mean years of schooling (of adults) 2.9 Living below 1,25 (USD) a day (% pop) 63 Gender inequality index Life expectancy at birth (years) 47.8 Global hunger index (>20 alarming) 25.2 Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) 192 Corruption perceptions index (10 = clean) Gini coefficient 62.9 During and after the civil war, the city of Freetown grew rapidly, with many people living under precarious circumstances in temporary housing in the slums. These people are especially vulnerable to rain-induced landslides and floods. People that continue to be vulnerable after the end of the war are returnees, IDPS, amputees, orphaned children and ex-soldiers. 15 People working and/or living in mining areas, are prone to health risks related to this industry. Diamond mining is the biggest sector, especially in the Kono district (Koidu and Tongo, and alluvial diamonds in the Sewa river), and to a lesser extent in Bo, Kenema, and Pujehun. Furthermore, there is potential for an increase of mining of titanium/rutile (Bonthe esp.gbangbatok- and Moyamba districts), 8 Sierra Leone View, , President Koroma launches national platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Sierra Leone, See also and all viewed at viewed on Ginifer, J (principal author), Evaluation of the Conflict Prevention Pools: Sierra Leone, DFID Evaluation report EV 647. See also: Bellows, J and E. Miguel, War and local collective action in Sierra Leone, Journal of Public Economics, 93: , Richards, P Fighting for the Rainforest: War, youth and resources in Sierra Leone. Oxford [a.o.]: International African Institute [a.o.] 11 Ginifer, J (principal author), Evaluation of the Conflict Prevention Pools: Sierra Leone, DFID Evaluation report EV Based on information provided by Wil de Wit via , and Based on UNDP, Sierra Leone Country Profile: Human Development Indicators, viewed on and and viewed on bron 15 viewed on

5 gold (Koinadugu, Bo, Kenema), and iron (Tonkolili). Bauxite, platinum and dimension stone is also found. 16 Areas rich in resources, although having great development potential, at the same time have great potential of conflicts, when it comes to the control over the resources. People living in these areas are therefore especially vulnerable to conflicts and exploitation. Capacity Government Sierra Leone s Disaster Management Department falls under the Office of National Security (ONS). Disaster Risk Reduction has increasingly been incorporated in the national development strategies. Special attention has been paid to deforestation. Moreover, school programmes have effectively been introduced to increase awareness of the importance of disaster risk prevention. As financial resources are only limitedly available, expected outcomes have not always been achieved. 17 In August 2011, the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Fund was officially launched by the ONS. 18 Public services in the field of health remain restricted and are not widely available for people in rural areas. As of 2005, due to a sector reform, government funding for primary health care is directly allocated to district councils through the Ministry of Local Government. The WHO argued that the challenge here is to adopt a health sector financing policy and strategy that will be both equitable and pro-poor 19 Civil society There are several networks of NGOs which function reasonably well. The national NGO umbrella organisation is mainly oriented towards administrative matters and the relationship with the government concerning taxes, and legal recognition of NGOs. Pressure from civil society has led to the halt of a largescale logging project operated by a Chinese company. It shows that civil society does have power to induce change and influence policy. 20 Local Cordaid Partners - CHASL - Christian Aid for Under-assisted Societies Everywhere - Christian Brothers Projects Resource Centre - Christian Brothers Sierra Leone - CTF - DCI-SL - Don Bosco Fambul SL - FIND - GGEM - JCI - Kenema Diocesan Health Care Office- Primary Health - KIT - MITAF - MRC Medical Research Centre - Peace and Reconciliation Movement PRM - Salone Microfinance Trust - SEND Foundation of West Africa - (Sierra Leone Central Union Holland) - Sierra Leone Network on the right to food and viewed on Sierra Leone: National progress report on the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action ( ), viewed on Sierra Leone View, , President Koroma launches national platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Sierra Leone, 19 WHO, Country Cooperation Strategy at a glance: Sierra Leone, viewed on Based on information provided by Wil de Wit via , and

6 - Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny - Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny Freetown - Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny Koidu-SRS CLUNY KD International cooperation The NGO Forum is a network of all international NGOs. It is strongly oriented towards lobbying within the international donor community, a.o. in regard to food security. 21 Synthesis Sierra Leone is recovering from a long and devastating civil war, yet signs are promising today. A major concern is to curb the rapidly ongoing process of deforestation and erosion. Natural hazards are relatively minor. The following points illustrate the main risks in this country based on hazards, vulnerability (as population exposed) and history. - A possible scenario would be heavy torrential rain in the capital of Freetown inducing landslides and flooding. This could affect several thousand people and kill dozens. - If deforestation and erosion continues as well as climate change we might expect to see more risk and more exposure to natural hazards. Resources & Contacts Ms. Mary Mye Kamara, director Disaster Management Progamme, ONS, marymyek@yahoo.com - Wil de Wolf, PO Cordaid HQ, WDW@cordaid.nl - Julie Love, PO Cordaid HQ, JLO@cordaid.nl 21 Ibid. 6