OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Liberia
9 June 2003


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Military and Political Developments

The situation in the capital Monrovia continues to worsen as fighting
between Government and LURD rebel forces intensifies in and around the
western suburbs of the city. Reports received this morning from Monrovia
indicate that the strategic St. Paul's bridge, the main axe leading into
the center of the city from the west, had fallen to the rebels this
morning, including Point Four and the Duala market area. Heavy gunfire was
also reported early this morning in the area of the port. Government
forces, as of mid-day, managed to push the rebels back over the St. Paul's
bridge.

The civilian population fleeing the fighting in the western part of the
city have congregated in Mamba Point, in the center of the city, and
Sinkor, in the eastern part of the city. Residents of Monrovia are staying
indoors, and commercial vehicles are not circulating due to the heavy
presence of Government soldiers in the streets.

Robert Field International Airport is reportedly calm. Weasua commercial
airlines, as well as charter flights were reportedly taking passengers for
departing flights this morning. Large numbers of diplomatic mission staff
and the Lebanese business community are leaving. President Taylor
addressed the nation at mid-day. In his speech, he urged Government
soldiers not to loot or harass civilians, and to continue to resist the
rebels.

Substantives discussions at the peace talks in Accra did not start, mainly
due to the absence of the MODEL representatives. Both the RSG and the HC,
as well as representatives of the civil society raised their concerns with
the mediator and key stake holders regarding the evolution of the
situation in Monrovia and the humanitarian consequences.

Humanitarian Consequences

The rebels are advancing directly through the western outskirts of the
city where a large number of IDPs as well as refugees are being assisted
in eight camps. This estimated population of about 100,000 extremely
vulnerable displaced people is dispersing away from the camps seeking
refuge from the intense fighting wherever they can. Thousands have moved
into the city center and the eastern part of the city where no shelter or
assistance is available.

At present the humanitarian organizations are not in a position anymore to
provide any assistance to the Liberian population, which are already
living under extremely difficult conditions. The most vulnerable,
including over 250,000 IDPs and refugees throughout the country remain
without emergency relief assistance for the immediate future.

UN staff Security

Necessary means are being put in place for joint evacuation, if finally
decided.

In view of the sudden deterioration of the situation in Monrovia, the
Humanitarian Coordinator for Liberia, Mr. Marc Destanne de Bernis, decided
to leave the peace talks in Accra on 5 June in order to return to
Monrovia. However, he could not reach Monrovia in time and is now in
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, together with the OCHA Head of Office in Liberia,
Mr. Muktar Farah. They keep in constant touch with the UN staff and the
authorities in Monrovia.

They can be contacted at the following phone numbers:

Mr. Marc Destanne de Bernis, UN Humanitarian Coordinator: +225-07-014419
(cell) / +225-2031-3333 (Tiama Hotel, Abidjan)
Mr. Muktar Farah, UN OCHA Head of Office: +225-07-443392 (cell) /
+225-2240-5174/5 (OCHA RSO, Abidjan)


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