Help for IDPs in Liberia

LWF reports that 5,000 people fled Bopolu Camp in the lower part of Lofa County now called Gbarpolu County, on December 7, when they heard the sound of heavy weaponry. Fighting broke out at the end of November this year in Belle Fassama, a town 100 km north of Bopolu. About 2,000 people fled the town to Bopolu camp. When the fighting closed in on the area with the rebels advancing to Geingba, people fled the camp. The Liberian United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LUIRD) rebel group has been fighting in northern Liberia since 1998 but has intensified its attacks since last September.

Most of the IDPs have moved towards the Tubmanburg area south of Bopolu. Mainly women, children and elderly people are fleeing the strife-torn area. LWF, one of the main NGOs working in Bopolu, was the last agency to evacuate Bopolu Camp at midday on December 8. LWF will assist the IDPs arriving on the outskirts of Tubmanburg with the construction of temporary shelter, water and sanitation facilities as well as by distributing relief goods such as cooking utensils and clothes. LWF expects that the number of IDPs will rise to 10,000 within the next few days as people from other areas are fleeing their homes as well. ACT partner Christian Concerned Community (CCC) is assisting new arrivals in Tubmanburg as well.

According to media reports the fighting broke out in Gbarpolu County as dissident forces trying to overthrow the government attacked two towns, forcing aid agencies to withdraw and thousands of civilians flee. The Liberian government has confirmed that there is fighting and claims that about 60,000 civilians have been displaced by the clashes.