The UK's leading aid agencies, including Tearfund, this week launched a crisis appeal to support emergency work in the war-torn country of Liberia. At the same time Tearfund partners in the capital Monrovia renewed their call for prayer for the country's future.
An estimated one million people are either trapped in appalling conditions in Liberia's cities or cut off from help in the countryside. The 11 British charities, who come together as the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) in times of major crisis, are already at work in Monrovia providing medical care, clean water, family survival kits and food.
Tearfund partners the Association of Evangelicals of Liberia, who were forced to cease their aid work due to fighting, are now preparing to deliver emergency food to displaced people, provide shelter for the most vulnerable families and launch programmes aimed at preventing disease.
Brendan Gormley, Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee of British agencies said: "The appalling conditions caused by the climax of the bloody civil war in Liberia will lead to widespread deaths without an urgent increase in the aid effort. Immediate financial help from the public can ensure that the DEC agencies will be able to step up their vital work quickly."
Three attacks on the capital by the LURD rebels since June 2003 have trapped 250,000 people who had sought shelter in the city. As West African peacekeeping troops continue to deploy in Monrovia DEC agencies are expanding their work in Liberia and flying in new stocks of aid.
Donations can be made online at www.dec.org.uk by 0870 60 60 900 or at any high street bank or post office.
Meanwhile Liberian church aid workers have renewed their appeal for prayer in the wake of the departure of Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Tearfund partner Rev Beyan Bakai, Director of the Association of Evangelicals of Liberia, declared: “Charles Taylor has gone, but please keep praying for the peace process. We face a long road ahead."