Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Alert - Liberia  - 1 / 2004
Ivorian Refugees in Eastern Liberia
Geneva, 19 November 2004


An eighteen-month Ivorian cease-fire was shattered last week when the
Abidjan government bombed strongholds in the rebel-held north and moved
its troops into the buffer zone that separates areas controlled by the two
sides. Two days into the offensive, Ivorian planes bombed a French
peacekeeping base and France's swift retaliation sparked days of mob
violence on the streets of Abidjan. There is growing concern that the
situation in Cote d'Ivoire will spill over into neighboring countries
(Liberia, Guinea, Ghana, Mali and Burkina Faso)

ACT member, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), reports that its regional
representative is monitoring the situation and coordinating with the other
UN agencies working in the region in order to be prepared for a major
humanitarian crisis. They report that approximately 6,000 frightened
Ivorians have fled cross the border into eastern Liberia since the crisis
in their homeland erupted last week.  This has added pressure on Liberia,
a country that is still struggling to recover from its own civil war and
threatening regional instability.  UN officials estimate that the numbers
seeking refuge in Liberia could increase to between 10,000 and 20,000
within the next few weeks.

Most of the refugees entering Liberia are without personnel effects,
especially blankets, cooking utensils, clothing and other essential
non-food items (NFIs).  Many humanitarian agencies are having trouble
reaching the new arrivals from Cote d'Ivoire, massed in the border town of
Butuo, because the roads in that corner of heavily-forested Liberia are in
such poor condition.

The emergency unit of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Program in
Liberia is co-ordinating with other agencies and has conducted a brief
assessment in the area of planned operation for gaps that can be bridged
by the Liberia Program.  The most immediate needs identified are NFIs such
as quilts, layettes, assorted clothing and sleeping mats.  The LWF is
planning to assist 5,000 Ivorian refugees in coordination with the UN
agencies that are providing food assistance. Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
has already pledge an in-kind contribution to cover part of the needs
identified. The ACT CO will respond with a Rapid Response Fund to cover
transportation expenses of these items as well as the sleeping mats.


ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save
lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.

The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches
(WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF)  in Switzerland.



The ACT CO will continue in close contact with the members in the region
monitoring the situation. An appeal might be forthcoming.

The ACT CO would appreciate any indications of possible support from
funding members.

Thank you for your attention.

For further information please contact:
ACT Interim Director, Jenny Borden (phone +41 22 791 6032 or
   mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055)
or
ACT Appeals Officer, Elsa Moreno (phone +41 22 791 6420 or
   mobile phone + 41 79 608 81 33)


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Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide alliance of churches and
their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency
response.  The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of
Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
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    Ecumenical Centre                          Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33
    150, route de Ferney                         Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06
    P.O. Box 2100                             E-Mail: act@wcc-coe.org
    1211 Geneva 2                              Telex: 415 730 OIK CH
    Switzerland                                 http://www.act-intl.org


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