LWR Assisting In Liberia Crisis

Baltimore, July 30, 2003 — Lutheran World Relief is supporting emergency life-saving assistance in Liberia for people displaced by violence. $1.3 million-worth of new aid from LWR is safe and ready for use as soon as conditions permit.

Seven shipping containers of health kits, newborn kits, clothing, bedding and medicines for LWR's partners, including the Lutheran World Federation and Phebe Hospital, located in rural Liberia, were safely moved from the port and stored in warehouses in mid-July just before fighting all but paralyzed Monrovia. With LWR's cash and material aid support, needs assessments are in process and supplies for the more than 50,000 people who have fled their homes are ready for distribution as soon as the situation is safer.

Liberians are hopeful that a ceasefire will be in hand soon. However, new fighting has broken out near the seaport of Buchanan and continues unabated in Monrovia.

"A man known to me more than three years was killed last Saturday by a stray bullet when he left his home in central Monrovia to find food for his family," reports Charles Pitchford, LWF's representative in Liberia. "This sort of thing happens often during the chaos that has gripped Monrovia during the last two months."

"The displaced are at the very end of their ability to cope. Many older people are giving up and letting death take them from the indignity of living in the streets," continues Pitchford. "As we are in the middle of rainy season, water is often collected as it runs off rooftops and used for drinking. Death by cholera and diarrhea is on the increase."

Monrovia continues to be subdued as there are no businesses operating. Local markets are selling some food but the prices have tripled during the last month. Rice that normally sells for 10 Liberian Dollars per cup is now selling for 50-60 LD. Dog meat is openly being sold on the streets. Gas and fuel oil are in extreme short supply - at prices that also have tripled. Banks that were closed most of June will continue to be closed until the intervention force can assure a stable cease-fire. Operational and personal cash requirements may pose a serious problem in the weeks to come.

LWR is currently accepting cash donations to continue supporting the needs of the people displaced by the violence in Liberia. To contribute please visit www.lwr.org.