In 2006, the socio-economic situation in Guinea deteriorated significantly, putting pressure on vulnerable populations living in extreme poverty with declining coping mechanisms. As a result, the humanitarian needs increased to a critical level, even in a non-conflict situation. Humanitarian indicators were low as the majority of the population continued to face high mortality, morbidity, and malnutrition rates.
In 2006, the CERF approved $1,997,549 to assist the Government of Guinea to redress imbalances in underfunded emergencies. The first allocation of $1,000,000 was committed to WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, FAO and WFP through the CERF for two inter-agency emergency, life-saving activities in the food security, health, multi-sector, and water and sanitation sectors. A second allocation of $997,549 was made to WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP for four projects in the health, water and sanitation, and coordination and support services sectors.
Click here to download the full 2006 CERF report for the Republic of Guinea.
Guinea has very poor road infrastructure. Conducting reliable, timely, and inclusive needs assessments was a significant challenge. Limited access to health, food, water, and sanitation facilities was triggering outbreaks and recurrences of life-threatening diseases such as cholera and meningitis and outbreaks became more frequent and more deadly.
Overstretched health facilities had been affected by the continuous arrival of refugees while public services were no longer being subsidized by the state. Health posts, centers, and hospitals had a shortage in the supply of essential drugs and other medical supplies. Access to health care and/or emergency surgical or obstetrical operations was non-existent. Reproductive and sexual health services were underfunded, in particular, family planning, maternal health, basic obstetric care, prevention and management of gender-based violence, prevention and treatment of sexual transmitted diseases/HIV/AIDS, women's rights, and prevention of harmful practices affecting women’s health. In addition, a functional system to maintain the infrastructure and equipment was absent.
The food and agriculture sectors were also of great concern, particularly in Guinée Forestière or Forest Region. Limited access to seeds, agricultural tools and arable land and the impact of armed conflict in the sub-region (Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire) worsened the situation. At least 10 percent of households faced constant food insecurity, 18 percent were at risk, and only 25 percent of the population was considered food secure. The stocks and means of production of host households were depleted by their collective efforts to assist refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and returnees from the countries in conflict. While Guinea Forest Region has large amounts of natural resources, the agricultural production was insufficient to support the population. Only 20 percent of potentially arable land was being used and rising inflation and currency depreciation had a strong impact on food as Guinea imported the majority of its rice, the country’s staple food. The population continued to require assistance in seeds and essential agricultural tools to allow the population to restart their agricultural activities.
The WFP-managed Humanitarian Air Operation (HAS) provided service to more than 120 different organizations, including NGOs, UN agencies, diplomatic representations and Government counterparts throughout Coastal West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire). The service between countries facilitated access to, and enhanced humanitarian coordination amongst countries. The Humanitarian Air Operation was facing financial difficulties and the World Food Programme (WFP) needed additional funding to transport humanitarian personnel, relief supplies, and medical evacuees.
Notwithstanding these challenges, the UN Country Team worked closely with NGOs and Government Ministries to quantify the needs of vulnerable populations. Although the 2006 Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) identified interventions in response to cholera and meningitis epidemics as well as household food security and the reduction of severe malnutrition as priorities, funds were not available for these projects. With only 28 percent of its requirements funded, the CAP was seriously underfunded. To mitigate the adverse impact of insufficient funding, projects targeting interventions in the food security, health, coordination and support services, and water and sanitation sectors as well as for refugees, were submitted for CERF funding. Funding from CAP bilateral donors, internal agency reserves or unearmarked agency funds was not available either. The CERF grant was the only immediate available source to finance for these projects. CERF resources were allocated proportionally to the identified financial needs and shortfalls in the early stages of the response.
[Last Update: 24 September 2007]
«CERF Around the World