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Date: July 7, 2003 
Thousands of Liberians have become internally displaced. Many more have been forced to flee across the borders into neighboring countries. An estimated 100 people cross into Sierra Leone daily. There are between 53,000 and 55,000 Liberians currently registered in refugee camps. These figures do not take into account unregistered refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within Liberia or those who are waiting to cross the borders. Some of these people, particularly from the Lofa region of Liberia, are finding themselves displaced for the third time as a consequence of violence and instability in the area.
Funded by UNICEF, UMCOR/Sierra Leone is currently implementing water and sanitation programs in Tobanda refugee camp; the eighth refugee camp to open in Sierra Leone since the start of the newest Liberian crisis. The camp, which is managed by UMCOR's ecumenical partner Lutheran World Federation (LWF), has a population of 8000 refugees. UMCOR's programs include the provision of latrines, showers, rubbish dumps and laundry facilities. According to Dr. John Distefano, head of mission for Sierra Leone, these measures are vital as during the monsoon seasons, there is a real danger of the spread of water-born diseases such as typhoid. Further programs include the building of wells with hand pumps and hygiene promotion and programs aimed at training staff working in the camp.
Refugees in the camps are receiving rations through the World Food Programme of lentils, bulgur wheat and oil however conditions are difficult and the number of refugees still arriving is stretching the already insufficient resources. In addition, there are concerns regarding the precarious security situation as former soldiers amongst the refugees may further destabilize the situation.
UMCOR/Sierra Leone is working with UNHCR on further contingency plans should conditions warrant them. According to Dr. Distefano, there is an urgent need for international intervention in the form of a multinational peacekeeping force. The security situation must be stabilized before humanitarian programs, such as those currently being implemented by UMCOR in Sierra Leone, can be considered in Liberia. Liberian IDPs and refugees will only start to return home once the fighting has stopped and some kind of order is restored.
The heads of mission for UMCOR/Liberia and UMCOR/Sierra Leone, Mr Kerry Sly and Dr. John Distefano are in regular contact and are coordinating their cross-border activities.
Your gifts to UMCOR's Liberia Emergency, Advance #150300 will enable UMCOR to respond to this latest crisis with humanitarian assistance and continue its ongoing development work and other ministries in Liberia. You may also designate "child soldiers." One hundred percent of your tax-deductible gift will be used for this emergency. The generous giving of United Methodists to the One Great Hour of Sharing supplements the cost of Advance gifts. Give through a local United Methodist church or send financial contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call 1-800-554-8583 to make a credit card donation.