April, 2003 Response

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance was pleased to recently host Mariama Brown, a leader of the Concerned Christian Community (CCC) of Liberia. Over the past year and a half we have provided strong support to both the CCC and the YMCA in Liberia as they struggle to meet the needs of those internally displaced from the ongoing civil war which ebbs and flows in its intensity. At the time of Mariama's visit, things seemed stable; but then renewed violence erupted. PDA is providing financial support to the costs of an immediate air shipment of relief goods.

Following an attack near the Rick's Institute camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), the government ordered the relocation of persons within IDP and refugee camps in Montserrado County. This proposed relocation could include 200,000 IDPs and refugees. RESPONSE: The current situation necessitates a revision of the CWS Liberia appeal that was issued February 21. CWS is increasing the appeal goal to $150,000 to include the needs created by the current crisis.

Concerned Christian Community (CCC) is providing immediately relief assistance to 2,500 recently displaced persons who are newly registered at the Perry Town Shelter, with priority given to pregnant women, lactating mothers, the ill and elderly. They will be provided with temporary shelter in 10 transit facilities, and will be provided with food, blankets, cooking utensils and counseling services for a three-month period. Funds from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in cooperation with Church World Service will support the efforts of CCC through an immediate airlift of material resources that include blankets, canned meat and hygiene kits.

The YMCA of Liberia is providing supplemental feeding and recreational programs for children ages 5-12 who were displaced from their original camps.

PDA is also supporting a delegation of church leaders from Liberia to the Mali peace talks; it is felt that such a delegation could build on an earlier Presbyterian Disaster Assistance supported church peace-building conference which was held in Liberia in November 2002.