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Date: August 5, 2003 
Liberia is facing an unparalleled humanitarian crisis. Perhaps every one of its three million citizens will need some kind of emergency assistance in the coming months. One example of the scale of the problem: there are reports of only five doctors now working in the country.
"The humanitarian situation is deplorable," said Bishop John Innis of The United Methodist Church of Liberia and a vice president of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC). Liberian church leaders like Bishop Innis are ready to begin the work of humanitarian response and peace-building. At a recent meeting in Accra, Ghana, they said they cannot respond without the assistance of the global Christian community. But they also believe that, ultimately, Liberians must take responsibility for rebuilding a shattered society.
Thousands of civilians who fled the recent fighting near the Liberia capital, Monrovia, are being hosted in United Methodist churches, residential compounds and school campuses in and around the city. Among the internally displaced people (IDPs) are more then 10,000 United Methodists, including 126 pastors. There is a looming humanitarian catastrophe at centers of displacement around the city. Many of are reluctant to return home for fear of insecurity, molestation and possible renewed fighting. Many have had their homes either destroyed, severely damaged or completely looted.
A concrete example of humanitarian need: the Rev. G. Solomon Gueh of the United Methodist Church's Liberia Annual Conference reported seeing one woman in Monrovia hold two handfuls of buckwheat in her hand -food for a group of 18 people for one day, she said.
Bishop Innis believes that the church must take a central role in efforts to galvanize a shattered society, with particular concern for teenagers and those younger who have fought in the current conflict.
"There are children who aren't in school and are holding guns now. All they know is guns and violence," Innis said. In such an environment, he asked, "Who will be the leaders of tomorrow?"
Damage due to the latest fighting include a number of United Methodist facilities, including the Ganta and Gbason Town Mission Stations, the United Methodist University, as well as local churches and individual homes. Losses are estimated to be several millions of dollars.
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.
Source: Adapted from "More Than 10,000 United Methodists Displaced in Liberia" by Edwin J. Clarke, Jr., UMC.org, and "Liberian Church Leaders Ready to Begin Rebuilding a Shattered Society" by Chris Herlinger, Church World Service.