Oxfam: Delay in Deployment of Liberia Force Costing Lives

Oxfam-America
Monday, 21 July 2003

International relief agency Oxfam today warned that the delay in sending peace-keeping troops to Liberia is costing lives and contributing to a humanitarian catastrophe in the making.

Liberia's capital Monrovia has been engulfed in fighting since Saturday, killing dozens of civilians, injuring many more, and making it too dangerous for most aid workers to continue their work. Peace-keeping troops from West African states and the United States have been promised, but so far no firm date has been set for their arrival. West African governments have said that their ability to send troops is contingent upon international support in the form of logistical and financial assistance.

"It's terrifying—and incredibly frustrating," said Oxfam project officer Sam Nagbe in Monrovia, speaking from his home, where he is trapped with a battle raging outside. "People here are really suffering, but as long as the fighting continues we are unable to help them. We need international peace-keepers now, not in one month or two months' time. The US must show its hand—and end this waiting game that is costing lives."

Oxfam is calling on the United States to act now to:

The agency is calling on the United Nations Security Council to act swiftly to authorize the ECOWAS deployment and a multinational US-led rapid-reaction force for Liberia.

More than 200,000 people are now living in appalling conditions in Monrovia, having fled the fighting between government and rebel troops. Oxfam staff have been providing fresh water, toilet facilities, and hygiene training to 40,000 people in and around Monrovia, but the renewed fighting makes it impossible to continue this work.

For more information, or to contact Oxfam-America, see their website at: www.oxfamamerica.org