Liberia: Refugee response needs support

(New York/Monrovia, 2 April 2011): Years of investment in Liberia's peace and security could be jeopardized if the international community is unable to help the country address the humanitarian challenges caused by the crisis in neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire, said United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos today. While in Liberia, Ms. Amos strongly condemned the reported killing of some 800 people in the western Ivorian town of Duékoué. These killings amount to "gross human rights violations" and those responsible must be brought to justice.

On the second and final day of her first visit to Liberia, Ms. Amos traveled to Toe Town in Grand Gedeh County bordering Côte d'Ivoire where she talked with Ivorian refugees who discussed their difficult trek into Liberia and their current living conditions. She also met with local people and humanitarian organizations to take stock of the ongoing relief effort and the challenges they face in meeting the needs of the refugees and the local community hosting them.

"Many of the refugees here dropped everything and ran for their lives. They arrived in Liberia with little or nothing. The Liberian people have shown great generosity, sharing what they have, but they need support, too." Amos said.

An estimated 120,000 Ivoirians have fled Côte d'Ivoire since December 2010 following the disputed presidential election. With over 110,000 Ivorians scattered in more than 90 villages, Liberia is hosting the largest number of these new refugees. Since 24 February 2011, an estimated 85,000 have crossed into Liberia as fighting intensified.

The Liberian government, UN agencies, as well as national and international NGOs have been providing help including protection of civilians, food, education, health and sanitation. Liberian families, some of whom were themselves refugees not long ago, have been hosting some of the refugees, sharing with them some of their already meagre resources.

"After years of war, Liberians are finally seeing the benefits of investment in peace, security and stability. We need to maintain that and ensure that the country gets the help it needs even as it welcomes so many refugees from Côte d'Ivoire," Ms. Amos said.

Ms. Amos appealed to donor countries to contribute to Liberia's emergency action plan. Estimated needs are US$146.5 million, but the plan has so far received $35 million (23%).

During her visit, Ms. Amos also met with senior officials of the Liberian government; the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General; and members of the humanitarian community.

For further information, please call:

Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1917 892 1679, bunker@un.org;
Nicholas Reader +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org;
Elisabeth Byrs OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org.

OCHA press releases are available at www.unocha.org or www.reliefweb.int.

For more information about CERF, please see http://cerf.un.org