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ACT News Update

Liberia 2303

Influx of Aid workers to Liberian capital


Geneva, 25 August, 2003--International aid workers and representatives are converging on the Liberian capital, Monrovia, in an effort to bring relief to this devastated country. A host of different international and business agencies are now in the city with more expected over the coming months. The naming of Mr.Gyude Bryant as head of the transitional government along with the signing of the peace agreement is finally bringing some confidence to this shattered country.

Members and partners of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, continue to coordinate their response to the crisis. An ACT Coordination Assessment Team (CAT) along with ACT member Lutheran World Federation-World Service (LWF-WS) are now completing their assessments in the capital and helping local members to plan their response. These members include United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCI). Emphasis is being placed on capacity building and the inclusion of smaller members as implementers in projects managed by other members who have proven capacity and experience. Some of the ACT International partners such as Concerned Christian Community (CCC) and YMCA Liberia were looted and require infrastructure assistance.

The LWF-WS Assessment team was taken to tour the internally displaced persons camps (IDPs) in Totota, Bong County, approximately 15 miles south of the Batala Military Camp. This route from Monrovia to Totota is still controlled by Government of Liberia forces.

Charles Pitchford, the Liberian representative of LWF, reports that a look of normalcy is slowly returning to Monrovia and many agencies are conducting assessments. Many of the previously evacuated heads of Missions are now returning to Liberia while the recently returned UN agencies are attempting to conduct assessments in the areas of Protection, Food, and Shelter.

Water and sanitation technicians from ACT member Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) will begin the assembly of the water purification system over the coming days. The water and sanitation team from ACT has also met with UNICEF who will lead the water and sanitation coordination in the country.

This weekend (August 23) LWF/WS staff and the LWF Assessment Team will visit Tubmanburg, 25 miles from the center of Monrovia. Tubmanburg remains the stronghold of the LURD Rebels and holds approximately 25,000 Internally displaced persons (IDP's). The team will assess needs including water and sanitation as well as initiating some peace building and trauma healing to the affected community.

Preparations for the distribution of rice to the displaced in Monrovia churches are finally proceeding. The rice should be available these coming days. Mr. Pitchford also reports that downtown business in the capital remains closed but fuel is again in supply. However, the average person can ill afford the prices. The LWF representative also maintains that rental prices are soaring with the establishment of the UN Authority and new strains are being placed on an already overworked telecommunication's system. Monrovia's already fragile phone system and e-mail capability is being severely tested by the influx.

"In spite of the severe hardships that continue to endure among the Liberian People, their faces reflect the hope that new Liberia will bring opportunity and that all Liberians will benefit from future investment," said Charles Pitchford in Monrovia.