A rescue ship is making its way to Liberia to evacuate thousands of Sierra Leonean refugees who have been caught up in the fighting in the country, the United Nations (UN) refugee agency said on Thursday.
The MV Overbeck is due to dock in the capital, Monrovia, on Friday after a two day journey from Freetown, Sierra Leone, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement.
There are around 15 000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia, many of whom lived in camps around Monrovia but were forced into the city during rebel attacks on the city before a ceasefire was signed on June 27. Many are gathered at the UNHCR compound.
More than 5 000 have already indicated an interest in being evacuated, said UNHCR representative Moses Okello. The ship can carry around 300 passengers per voyage and should be able to make a trip every three days if the ceasefire holds.
UNHCR staff plan to send the most vulnerable refugees on the first voyage on Friday.
”The tenuous security situation in Monrovia and the lack of logistical capacity make the rescue operation one of the most challenging UNHCR has faced in recent times,” the agency said.
”Amid continued looting and lawlessness, staff are struggling to cope with the enormous humanitarian needs. Eight UNHCR light vehicles have been stolen and vandals took parts from nine other UNHCR trucks, leaving them inoperable. With banks closed, UNHCR staff had no cash to hire transport to get refugees to the port. Fuel is also scarce.”
Meanwhile refugees from Liberia also are making their own way to other countries. In Ghana, UNHCR staff reported that vessels ranging from fishing boats to larger ships started arriving in June and are now showing up increasingly often. – Sapa-AP