UN - Office of the Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator in Liberia: Press release

MONROVIA, Liberia - The United Nations Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator for Liberia, Mr. Moustapha Soumaré, launched the 2012 Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) for Liberia today on Monday, 06 February 2012, in the presence of the United Nations Country Team in Liberia, donor representatives and other humanitarian and government partners.

The 2012 Liberia CAP launched today is appealing for a total of US$ 121,577,279 to the international donor community to implement 40 projects presented by 20 participating agencies in the areas of Water & Sanitation, Education, Logistics, Health, Protection, Food aid, Agriculture, and Nutrition.

Major humanitarian crises and disasters require many aid agencies on the ground. To operate effectively, agencies need to coordinate efforts to avoid gaps and duplication, focus on urgent needs, and work towards longer-term recovery. A common strategic approach is essential for an efficient response that builds on each organization's strengths. The Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) helps to achieve this. It brings aid organizations together to jointly plan, coordinate, implement and monitor their humanitarian response. It also allows them to appeal for funds cohesively, not competitively. This means people in need can be supported in a timely, predictable and accountable way.

The United Nations, along with its partners, have thus far provided, through the Emergency Humanitarian Action Plan (EHAP) developed last year, critical services including food, shelter and protection, to address the needs of Ivorian refugees whose numbers nearly reached 200,000 individuals back in April - May 2011 in Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Maryland and River Gee Counties in Liberia.  The UN will continue to address the multiple needs of the refugee population as well as the challenges faced by the vulnerable Liberians in the border region.

Mr. Soumar√É∆í√Ǭ© said at the launch that "even though we no longer are in the same situation as we were last year, there are pressing needs which still require our urgent attention" noting that "this goes both for the Ivorian refugees as well the Liberian people who, despite their own vulnerability, have kindly opened their homes and hearts to their neighbors."  The Humanitarian Coordinator extended the International Community's gratitude to those Liberian families who have "so generously and unequivocally come to the assistance of brothers and sisters in need."

The Humanitarian Coordinator also noted during the launch, that having common strategic approach is essential for an efficient humanitarian response which builds on each organization's strengths with a single aim, to assist vulnerable populations in need â€" be they Ivoirians or Liberians.

The launch was done simultaneously via teleconference to member states in Geneva and presided in Geneva by the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Ms. Catherine Bragg.

As of January 2012, the EHAP managed to mobilize US$ 98,963,859 in financial contributions out of total projects costs of US$ 166,651,691 presented by 8 participating agencies in the areas of Water & Sanitation, Education, Logistics, Health, Protection, Food aid, Agriculture.   

Building on the EHAP, the projects in the 2012 Liberia CAP put an emphasis on both the Ivorian refugees whose numbers have decreased to about 128,000 individuals in January 2012, about 2,000 Third Country Nationals, as well as on an estimated 140,000 vulnerable Liberian nationals affected by the sudden influx and massive presence of Ivorian refugees in Nimba, River Gee, Maryland and Grand Gedeh Counties.