Press release No. 03/40
Geneva (ICRC) - The fighting
in recent days has forced tens of thousands of displaced people to flee
the camps outside Monrovia in which they were living. They have sought
refuge in various places throughout the city, some in public buildings
such as schools and gymnasiums. Thousands of others remain in areas near
the capital that cannot be reached by aid organizations. This massive influx
from the countryside has strained resources in Monrovia, and the needs
of both the city's residents and the displaced are growing more acute.
The situation has been exacerbated by heavy rains. Working in conjunction with the Liberia National Red Cross Society, the ICRC has been endeavouring to ensure that the displaced people have access to drinking water and basic hygiene facilities. In particular, it has been building latrines and repairing wells. Non-food relief has been distributed to over 3,000 people.
At Monrovia's John F. Kennedy hospital - the only one still functioning in the city - an ICRC surgical team has been working steadily to treat the flow of wound victims. Over 500 people have been treated in the past week. The organization has also been supplying the hospital with medicines and food.
The ICRC has been present in Monrovia throughout the fighting. It currently has nine staff members in the city, six of them working at the hospital. Its representatives meet daily with the handful of other humanitarian organizations still present in order to coordinate their activities.
In coming days, the ICRC will reinforce its expatriate personnel, who have been doing remarkable work in extremely difficult circumstances. It takes this opportunity to pay tribute to the tremendous professionalism and devotion to duty shown by its Liberian staff. Tragically, this commitment yesterday cost the life of a young staff member in a car accident caused by the panic prevailing in the city.
Further information:
Dominique Liengme, ICRC Monrovia, tel.
++ 377 4751 3470
Juan Martinez, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 79 217 32 17