ICRC medical supplies arrive in Monrovia

An Antonov aircraft carrying 12 mt of medical supplies and a four-wheel-drive vehicle donated by the International Committee of the Red Cross arrived on Wednesday in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, an ICRC official confirmed to IRIN. According to the ICRC, most of this aid would be used to equip the surgical ward of the John F. Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia. The operation is the second of its kind this year. It is part of ICRC's efforts to step up its humanitarian aid for civilian victims of the conflict in Liberia following the escalation of hostilities early this year. ICRC noted in a news release on Tuesday that the extension of the fighting had led to a considerable increase in population movement which had resulted in social and economic upheaval, the breaking-up of families, a general deterioration in the health situation and many deaths and injuries. In response to the situation, ICRC had voted a budget extension of 6.8 million Swiss francs (US $4.5 million), bringing the total budget for its activities in Liberia in 2002 to 13 million Swiss francs ($8.6 million). These funds should enable ICRC to step up its aid programmes with priority being given to areas where displaced persons are living. The money should also help ICRC to strengthen its tracing network and extend it to neighbouring countries with a view to reuniting families. It would also help it to continue to visit people detained in connection with the conflict, and to set up a six-person surgical team, which, together with the Ministry of Health, would take part in a war-surgery and surgical-emergencies programme.