Escalating Violence in Liberia: UN Reports Growing Refugee Crisis

Fighting between rival factions has intensified in Liberia, with the United Nations reporting a significant increase in refugees seeking shelter in the port city of Buchanan. At least 700 people are arriving daily, with the local refugee population prohibited by African peacekeeping forces from building shelters due to security concerns. Meanwhile, fresh fighting has broken out between rival factions in western Liberia, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Key Takeaways:

• The United Nations reports that at least 700 people are fleeing fighting in Liberia's eastern Bassa county and arriving daily in the port city of Buchanan.
• The African peacekeeping force has prohibited the refugee population from building shelters due to 'insecurity in the area,' making it difficult to handle the influx of new refugees.
• Buchanan already shelters over 80,000 refugees, and the heavy influx is putting a strain on resources.
• Heavy rains have washed away part of the main highway linking Monrovia and western Liberia, hindering the delivery of food and shelter supplies.
• Fresh fighting broke out at the weekend between the Mandingo faction of Alhaji Kromah and Roosevelt Johnson's Krahn forces in Bong Mines, with both sides reporting heavy reinforcements.
• 12,279 people have taken refuge in surrounding villages of Klay district to escape fighting in western Cape Mount county between rival factions in the rebel United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia, or ULIMO.

Statistics:

• Over 80,000 refugees are currently sheltered in Buchanan.
• At least 700 people are arriving daily in Buchanan, fleeing fighting in the Bassa district.
• 12,279 people have taken refuge in surrounding villages of Klay district to escape fighting in western Cape Mount county.
• Heavy rains have washed away part of the main highway linking Monrovia and western Liberia, 30 miles long.

Sources:

• "Monrovia, June 13" (newspaper not specified).
• Note: No specific date or publication date is provided for the source, but the text is dated "Monrovia, June 13".