THE International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is to increase the number of its aid workers in Liberia, following a recent upsurge in clashes between government troops and rebels. However, the ICRC could not say how many additional staff would be sent to Liberia before the situation in the country had become clear, said Juan Martinez in Geneva. The ICRC regards its principal role as aiding the return of refugees to the country’s northern Klay region from where thousands have fled to the capital and to neighbouring Sierra Leone following increased fighting in the area, Martinez said. In the meantime, the ICRC has already set up distribution centres in two camps in the capital’s suburbs where some 8 000 refugees have encamped. The increase in Red Cross staff comes despite a decision by the UN on Friday that said it would reduce its aid personnel following an increase in tension in Liberia. – AFP