Aid for Refugees and Communities in Sierra Leone and Liberia

Baltimore, May 1, 2003 -- While peace is progressing in Sierra Leone, Liberia is experiencing a resurgence of violence. Since 1991, the West Africa republic of Sierra Leone has experienced one of Africa's most brutal civil wars. More than 150,000 people have died as a result of the conflict, 1.5 million have had to flee their homes, and an estimated 500,000 people have become refugees. While war atrocities and violence have left thousands injured, a peace agreement signed in 2001 has renewed the spirit of the people in Sierra Leone to rebuild their country. Meanwhile, camps for displaced people in neighboring Liberia have again come under attack by the rebel forces, causing thousands of Liberians to flee in fear to the capitol city of Monrovia and across the border in Sierra Leone. Food, shelter, and medical assistance are minimal, due to the lack of security.

Lutheran World Relief is assisting the people of Sierra Leone through post-war reconstruction projects and is responding to the needs of new Liberian refugees through Action by Churches Together (ACT), the emergency alliance that includes LWR. In April, LWR shipped material resources valued at $1,254,253 to ACT partners Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sierra Leone and Lutheran World Federation. Included in these shipments were clothing, blankets, quilts, layettes, health kits, sewing kits, school kits and soap. LWR is also supporting displaced people within Liberia with much-needed food relief and medical care through Lutheran World Federation and Phebe Hospital, located in Monrovia.

To contribute: Donations may be made by credit card via 800-number, on-line or by check. You may designate your gift: "West Africa Crises." Please consider making an unrestricted donation, which will enable LWR to use your gift where it is needed most.

Lutheran World Relief
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
1-800-LWR-LWR-2
www.lwr.org

LCMS World Relief
P.O. Box 66861
St. Louis, MO 63166-9810
1-888-930-4438

ELCA World Hunger Appeal
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
1-800-638-3522