Humanitarian crisis escalates in war-torn Liberia

Written by Bonnie Gillespie, Staff Writer, DisasterRelief.org
Amid ongoing turmoil in Liberia, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other non-government organizations (NGO's) are accelerating relief efforts to cope with the growing humanitarian crisis now gripping the West African nation.

The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the volatile conditions in Liberia and maintaining direct contact with the ICRC as the massive response operation unfolds.

"It is a very unstable situation," said Christine Strater, Regional Associate for Africa with the International Disaster Response Unit of the American Red Cross. "We are focusing right now on collecting financial donations to support the ICRC operation."

A young Liberian boy is examined by an ICRC local doctor in Monrovia at Blamacee, an ICRC internal displaced persons camp.

Photo Courtesy of the ICRC. After fifteen years of civil unrest, fighting erupted again in mid-July, primarily in the capital of Monrovia, but cease-fire negotiations failed to curb the conflict before it spread throughout the country.

Hundreds of lives have already been lost and possibly as many as 600,000 people have been displaced by the ongoing civil war, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).

Widespread violence and rampant looting have restricted movement within the country, preventing humanitarian relief organizations from confirming the condition of nearly 80 percent of the general population of Liberia.

"Four primary Red Cross response activities are taking place in Liberia," said Strater. "ICRC workers are providing medical care to the war-wounded, protection to prisoners and detainees, assistance to the displaced and vulnerable residents and restoration of family links through tracing services."

With a six-member medical team and 300 local staff activated, the ICRC is persisting in relief efforts, including operating the only medical facility still functioning within the country, the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia.

The ICRC, supported by the Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) has treated hundreds of war-wounded cases at JFK hospital, reunited more than a 100 lost children with relatives and recently flew in a 15,000 liter water truck to help with the provision of clean drinking water.

The population in the capital city has swelled in recent weeks from 600,000 to an estimated one million inhabitants, as Liberians fleeing the fighting have gathered in makeshift shelters, public buildings, football stadiums and churches. But many are living without shelter, clean water, food and basic medical care.

Living conditions in Monrovia were hazardous even before the most recent conflict began. Many residences were devoid of running water, electricity, functional sewer systems and garbage collection. Liberia ranks next to last in the United Nations World Human Development Index, which ranks countries based on key social and economic indicators, making a dangerous water and sanitation situation and a dwindling food supply even more foreboding.

In urgent endeavors to sustain their communities, volunteers with the LNRCS, with support from the ICRC, trained 20 Emergency Response Teams for emergency work in their chapters and in Monrovia. Each team is equipped with radios, first aid kits and stretchers provided by the ICRC.

Despite the destruction and looting of the LNRCS headquarters building and four chapter facilities, LNRCS workers are distributing relief items and building latrines in the shelters and camps. Teams in Monrovia are providing clean drinking water, transporting the wounded to the JFK Hospital and tracing lost children.

What You Can Do to Help

To continue supporting Red Cross partners in humanitarian efforts in Liberia and around the globe, the American Red Cross needs resources to expand its programs, initiatives, emergency food distributions and long-term recovery programs. American Red Cross financial assistance will concentrate on building the capacity of Red Cross societies and branches to help meet the daily needs of local people and assist them in finding lasting solutions to the problems of water, hunger and poverty.

Donations to the International Response Fund can be mailed to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013 or by visiting our secure online donation page.