New York, Apr 2 2011 9:10PM
The United Nations humanitarian chief warned today that years of investment in Liberia's peace and security could be jeopardized if the international community does not provide sufficient resources to help the country bear the burden of caring for refugees from neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire.
"After years of war, Liberians are finally seeing the benefits of investment in peace, security and stability," said Valerie Amos, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs on the second and final day of her visit to Liberia.
"We need to maintain that and ensure that the country gets the help it needs even as it welcomes so many refugees from Côte d'Ivoire," said Ms. Amos, who is also the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator.
An estimated 120,000 Ivoirians have fled Côte d'Ivoire since December last year following the disputed presidential election, and more than 110,000 of the refuge
es have sought shelter in eastern Liberia, the majority of them among host communities.
"Many of the refugees here dropped everything and ran for their lives. They arrived in Liberia with little or nothing. The Liberian people have shown great generosity, sharing what they have, but they need support, too," said Ms. Amos.
She strongly condemned the reported killing of some 800 people in the western Ivorian town of Duékoué and said those responsible for the alleged atrocity must be brought to justice.
Ms. Amos traveled to Toe town in Grand Gedeh County bordering Côte d'Ivoire where she talked with Ivorian refugees who gave her their accounts of their difficult trek into Liberia and their current living conditions.
She also met with local residents and humanitarian organizations to review ongoing relief efforts and the challenges they face as they endeavour to meet the needs of the refugees and the local community hosting them.
The Liberian Government, UN agencies, as well as national a
nd international NGOs have been providing help, including the protection of civilians, food, education, health and sanitation. Liberian families, some of whom were themselves refugees not long ago, have been hosting some of the refugees, sharing with them their meagre resources.
Ms. Amos appealed to donor countries to contribute to Liberia's emergency action plan, which has requested $146.5 million, but has so far received $35 million or 23 per cent of what is needed.
Apr 2 2011 9:10PM
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