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Liberia: Some humanitarian activities resume amid relative calm in Monrovia

2 July – Though hampered by and uncertain security environment and a shortage of supplies, United Nations and other humanitarian agencies took advantage of a relative lull in the fighting in and around the Liberian capital of Monrovia to resume some basic relief activities today.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that a lull in the fighting in Monrovia has allowed the national staff of humanitarian agencies to resume some basic relief activities. Humanitarian endeavours are further hindered by the looting of stocks of fuel, medicines and medical supplies, as well as the theft of some 20 vehicles belonging to aid organizations.

OCHA says that humanitarian needs in Monrovia remain "critical", as most aid distributions had stopped during intense fighting last week, and shortages of water and sanitation facilities make the further outbreaks of communicable diseases highly probable. Monrovia's hospitals, meanwhile, continue to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of patients. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are especially vulnerable, as they are unable to receive sufficient amounts of aid and are often targeted for harassment by armed groups.

If security conditions allow, the distribution of food to some of Monrovia's most vulnerable groups may resume by the end of the week. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) plans to supply food distribution to an estimated 70,000 IDPs at the national stadium, and to others staying in irregular shelters around Monrovia.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that if the current ceasefire continues to hold, they will soon begin to evacuate Sierra Leonean and other refugees trapped in Monrovia. With thousands of Sierra Leonean refugees saying they want to go home, UNHCR says that if a boat can dock safely in Monrovia, a vessel with the capacity of carrying up to 250 passengers will begin to transport refugees to Freetown by end of the week.

Inside neighbouring Sierra Leone, meanwhile, UNHCR staff were rushing to finish work on equipping the 300-passenger MV Overbeck for its rescue voyage amid heavy rains that are lashing much of the west coast of Africa. Assuming the work is completed, the Overbeck was scheduled to set sail on Wednesday evening for the 30-hour voyage from the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown to Monrovia.

A spokesman for the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) said today that following Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call that a multi-national force be deployed in Liberia, a contingency plan had been developed to assist with helicopters and personnel in the event of an evacuation exercise. "I can inform you authoritatively that we have our helicopters and crews ready to go into Liberia on a very short notice," said Patrick Coker.