NGOs call for relocation of IDPs

Two NGOs, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) and Concerned Christian Community (CCC), have called for the relocation of thousands of internally displaced Liberians who were recently forced to flee south from the northwest regions, because of renewed fighting between disssidents and government forces. The organsations said more than 10,000 IDPs are currently living in Sawmill, Bomi County. The French NGO ACF, in a statement on Friday, called for the "immediate relocation" of the IDPs in order to protect them. The security of the IDPs was not guaranteed in Sawmill because it is a transit town for soldiers heading to fight on the front. "Aware of the danger, the displaced expressed their fears to ACF volunteers and asked to be evacuated from the zone", ACF said. In order to cover basic urgent needs, ACF planned to provide food, and set up therapeutic centers for the most vulnerable, particularly children. On its part, the Liberian organisation CCC called for humanitarian assistance including food and medical items, shelter facilities, as well as laundry and bath soap. A new wave of violence broke out in northwestern Liberia 10 days ago between the government and combatants of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) militia, who have been fighting since 1998 to overthrow the government of President Charles Taylor.