Assisting people displaced by conflict
International staff: 24
National staff: 197
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Since early 2001, the people of Liberia have experienced
increased instability because of fighting both within and
beyond the country's borders. Waves of displaced Liberians
have flowed southeast towards the capital Monrovia or east
towards Côte d'Ivoire. Others have sought shelter in Sierra
Leone, only to turn back to Liberia and become displaced in their
own country. MSF has spoken out at the United Nations Security
Council, most recently in May 2002, condemning the lack of protection
for civilians. MSF also issued a report on the humanitarian
situation in the conflict-scarred region, "Populations
Affected by War in the Mano River Region of West Africa: Issues
of Protection."
In Liberia, MSF's work has followed the displaced themselves.
Fighting in Lofa county in the northwest and along the
border with Sierra Leone throughout 2001 sparked an exodus
of people in search of safety in Bong and Grand Cape Mount
counties. Insecurity and military harassment as well as lack
of food often pushed people to travel through dangerous
areas. MSF assisted the displaced where possible, and
denounced the violence inflicted upon them by the civilian
and military authorities. Fighting intensified in December
2001, spreading south to Montserrado and Margibi counties
in the spring. By mid-2002, a third of the country had been
drawn into the conflict, and MSF was providing medical aid
in an ever-shifting network of camps and temporary settlements
in Bong and Margibi, and on the outskirts of Monrovia.
Other programs focus on daily health needs in Monrovia and
the southeastern town of Harper. In the capital, MSF works at
Redemption Hospital and four local clinics, where nearly
17,000 people a month seek consultations, and cares for 130
people a month at a cholera treatment center. Since early 2002,
it has also supported two clinics on Bushrod Island providing
basic health care for some of the area's 50,000 people, many
of them displaced. In Harper, MSF has supported the government
hospital and several health posts since 1997.
Malaria is endemic in Liberia. After a July 2001 study showed
high levels of resistance in Harper to the standard treatments
chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, MSF introduced
a new treatment protocol in April 2002 based on artemisinin
derivatives with amodiaquine. MSF is pushing for the introduction
of artemisinin-containing combination therapy in
many areas in Africa.
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MSF has been working in Liberia since 1990.
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