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W. African Forces Arrival in Monrovia, Insecurity Continues to Stall Relief
An advance team of West African forces arrived in Monrovia, Liberia July 31 to the cheers of that embattled country’s citizens, hundreds of thousands of whom have been displaced from their homes by increased violence in the country’s 14-year civil war. The upsurge in bloodshed forced World Vision to suspend all but one of its relief and development programs in the country, including emergency food distribution in Monrovia and agricultural training in Liberia’s rural areas. However, staff are still providing health care to women and children at a clinic in the capital city’s largest displacement camp. Only a handful of aid organizations are able to continue their work.
A failure in international political will has left hundreds of Liberians dead in a week, with more dying daily. Nearly two months after the upsurge in violence, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sent 192 Nigerian troops into Liberia August 4. ECOWAS has promised 3,200 troops, but has said it will not send in additional troops until forces in Liberia can establish a working cease-fire.
“While the bodies pile up in the capital Monrovia, the international community is poised to intervene,” said regional relief coordinator Eleanor Monbiot, who was evacuated from Monrovia by military helicopter July 21. “But while they negotiate the terms of their involvement, hundreds of thousands of citizens are at risk.”
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