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07/08/2003
UN calls for $69m Liberian aid package
The UN has launched a $69 million emergency aid appeal for war-torn Liberia – and so alleviate the suffering of nearly one million refugees.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other UN officials yesterday urged world governments to seize the opportunity to help end the "unnecessary suffering" of Liberian citizens and to "let them know they are not alone in the quest for development and peace".
With the request for aid underway in New York, the rollout of peacekeeping troops continued on the ground in Liberia as the UN Mission in Sierra Leone airlifted 112 more Nigerian troops and other equipment - including three armoured personnel carriers, two land rovers, three tons of ammunition and one fuel tanker - to the capital Monrovia. They join 184 troops who arrived Monday and 152 more that hit the ground yesterday.
The build-up is expected to continue as the Economic Community of West African States leads the efforts to enforce a ceasefire and clear the way for the distribution of food and medicine to hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by fighting between forces loyal to President Charles Taylor and rebel factions, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy and the Movement for Democracy and Elections in Liberia.
The revised appeal by UN humanitarian agencies and their non-governmental partners seeks $22 million to buy food, $9 million to care for the staggering number of homeless and refugees - estimated to be about 450,000 in Monrovia alone - and $8.5 million for urgent to meet health care needs.
The West African country of about 3.2 million people has been gripped by war on and off for 14 years. An estimated 80% of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. Since June, nearly non-stop fighting between Liberian rebels and government forces has devastated Monrovia.
Countless civilians have been killed or wounded and thousands of others have streamed into the capital seeking refuge from the fighting, the UN said.
Many have been living in the streets with little if any access to clean water, sanitation and food. UN agencies now say the city is in the grips of a cholera epidemic.
The UN's earlier appeal for Liberia, launched in November 2002, raised only about a fifth of the $42 million requested, officials have said.
(GMcG)
Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other UN officials yesterday urged world governments to seize the opportunity to help end the "unnecessary suffering" of Liberian citizens and to "let them know they are not alone in the quest for development and peace".
With the request for aid underway in New York, the rollout of peacekeeping troops continued on the ground in Liberia as the UN Mission in Sierra Leone airlifted 112 more Nigerian troops and other equipment - including three armoured personnel carriers, two land rovers, three tons of ammunition and one fuel tanker - to the capital Monrovia. They join 184 troops who arrived Monday and 152 more that hit the ground yesterday.
The build-up is expected to continue as the Economic Community of West African States leads the efforts to enforce a ceasefire and clear the way for the distribution of food and medicine to hundreds of thousands of people uprooted by fighting between forces loyal to President Charles Taylor and rebel factions, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy and the Movement for Democracy and Elections in Liberia.
The revised appeal by UN humanitarian agencies and their non-governmental partners seeks $22 million to buy food, $9 million to care for the staggering number of homeless and refugees - estimated to be about 450,000 in Monrovia alone - and $8.5 million for urgent to meet health care needs.
The West African country of about 3.2 million people has been gripped by war on and off for 14 years. An estimated 80% of the population lives on less than a dollar a day. Since June, nearly non-stop fighting between Liberian rebels and government forces has devastated Monrovia.
Countless civilians have been killed or wounded and thousands of others have streamed into the capital seeking refuge from the fighting, the UN said.
Many have been living in the streets with little if any access to clean water, sanitation and food. UN agencies now say the city is in the grips of a cholera epidemic.
The UN's earlier appeal for Liberia, launched in November 2002, raised only about a fifth of the $42 million requested, officials have said.
(GMcG)
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05 August 2003
Nigerian peacekeepers arrive in capital of war-torn Liberia
The UN has begun transporting the first of two battalions of peacekeepers from Nigeria to the troubled west African state of Liberia.
Nigerian peacekeepers arrive in capital of war-torn Liberia
The UN has begun transporting the first of two battalions of peacekeepers from Nigeria to the troubled west African state of Liberia.
22 August 2003
Extra aid sent to tackle Liberia's humanitarian crisis
The government has committed another £4.7 million to help with the humanitarian crisis in Liberia – this brings the UK's total assistance to the country to £7.6 million for 2003. The funds will be allocated to UN agencies, non-government organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to respond to immediate humanitarian needs.
Extra aid sent to tackle Liberia's humanitarian crisis
The government has committed another £4.7 million to help with the humanitarian crisis in Liberia – this brings the UK's total assistance to the country to £7.6 million for 2003. The funds will be allocated to UN agencies, non-government organisations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to respond to immediate humanitarian needs.
01 August 2003
UN has 'grave concern' over Liberian refugees
The UN envoy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) today voiced "grave concern" about the plight of the hundreds of thousands of civilians driven from their homes by weeks of fighting in Liberia.
UN has 'grave concern' over Liberian refugees
The UN envoy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) today voiced "grave concern" about the plight of the hundreds of thousands of civilians driven from their homes by weeks of fighting in Liberia.
12 August 2003
Liberia Crisis Appeal begins work following Taylor's resignation
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is today launching a Liberia Crisis Appeal to support the work of 11 of the UK's best-known charities. The appeal will help fund aid work following the departure of President Charles Taylor from the war-torn country.
Liberia Crisis Appeal begins work following Taylor's resignation
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is today launching a Liberia Crisis Appeal to support the work of 11 of the UK's best-known charities. The appeal will help fund aid work following the departure of President Charles Taylor from the war-torn country.
04 August 2003
UN begins aid lift to Liberia
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) today announced the launch of an emergency operation to fly critical aid supplies into the Liberian capital of Monrovia, where hundreds of thousands of people are in need following two weeks of fighting.
UN begins aid lift to Liberia
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) today announced the launch of an emergency operation to fly critical aid supplies into the Liberian capital of Monrovia, where hundreds of thousands of people are in need following two weeks of fighting.
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