CWS to send supplies to Liberian refugees

The Church World Service (CWS) which recently sent a peace delegation to four West African countries is sending supplies worth US $100,000 for Liberian refugees in and around Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, the CWS reported on Monday.

CWS said in a statement, it was trying to raise another $100,000 to support its partners including the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone, the United Brethren in Christ and the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone to care for the refugees. Some 25,000 Liberians fled to Sierra Leone since January due to fighting between Liberian government troops and rebels, it added.

"The findings of the delegation are galvanizing emergency response to the troubled region by the international humanitarian aid agency and its partners," CWS said. "Based on the immediate needs [reported] from the 2-18 July visit, CWS is shipping blankets, health and baby kits along with additional supplies donated by Lutheran World Relief."

The funds raised would also help Sierra Leoneans displaced during the country's 11-year civil war "get back on their feet", CWS said. Many of the Liberian refugees and Sierra Leone's own returnees were ill, required medical attention and some were in severe need of food, the statement said.

The eight-member delegation led by Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS executive director, was invited by the councils of churches in the Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It met political leaders including President Charles Taylor of Liberia, NGOs, UN agencies and church members and visited refugee and displaced people's camps.

"Beyond immediate emergency response, CWS is accelerating further support plans for West Africa. A team of emergency response and immigration specialists is already on the ground, visiting councils of churches and partners in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ghana. The team is focusing on issues of refugees and the internally displaced, women and children affected by conflict, peace and reconciliation, and the long term needs for trauma care and counseling," CWS said.

In Washington, CWS was arranging visits for the delegation to debrief government leaders, hoping to galvanize more stable financial and political support for the West African countries.

Detailed information about the visit of the delegation can be found at:
http://www.churchworldservice.org/journal/WAfrica/index.html