UMCOR Sierra Leone Archives

Liberians seek refuge in Sierra Leone

07 July 2003

Thousands of Liberians have become internally displaced and many more have been forced to flee across the borders into neighboring countries. An estimated 100 Liberians cross into Sierra Leone daily and there are between 53,000 and 55,000 Liberians currently registered in refugee camps in Sierra Leone. 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 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 season, there is a real danger of the spread of diseases such as typhoid and malaria. 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 Program 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 security as former soldiers amongst the refugees may further destabilise the situation.

UMCOR Sierra Leone is working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on further contingency plans should conditions warrant them. According to Dr. Distefano, there is an urgent need for international intervention in Liberia in the form of a multinational peacekeeping force. The security situation must be stabilised before humanitarian programs, such as those currently being implemented by UMCOR in Sierra Leone, can be considered in Liberia. Humanitarian agencies are only able to access Monrovia at present and even there, activities are minimal and severely limited due to insecurity. 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.