Crisis for displaced people in Liberia

An NGO worker who just visited Belefanai, the town on the border between Lofa and Bong county, reports that the displaced go through rigorous army scrutiny on the Lofa side of the bridge separating the two counties.

Young boys and able bodied men appear to be afraid to go through the army checkpoints for fear of being conscripted into the army. Women and young girls fear being harassed and possibly raped when crossing the check points at the bridge.

Five trucks are operating to haul people from the bridge at Belefanai to transit camps some few km away from the bridge. From there the displaced are being moved to an abandoned building some 65 km away.

With bits of plastic sheeting huts are built and leaking roofs on the abandoned buildings repaired. Every covered space is crammed with people and many end up staying outside, even when it rains.

Lofa county, with a population of around 60.000 people, is emptying as the stream of people fleeing continues. Some 15 - 18.000 have come out via the bridge at Belefanai and a further 12.000 may soon choose this route to escape. More then 10.000 have escaped Lofa county in other directions.

On March 30, 2001, ACT issued an appeal for Liberia - so far it is only 17% funded. The ACT implementing member in Liberia is the Lutheran World Federation.

Photo: Concern Worldwide, May, 2001