U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
                                      
                   BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
             OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
                                      
                        LIBERIA - Complex Emergency

 Fact Sheet # 17                      May 8, 1996 1700 EDT

Background:  On April 6, 1996, fighting in Monrovia erupted
between two armed factions, Charles Taylor's National Patriotic
Front of Liberia (NPFL) and Roosevelt Johnson's wing of the
United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia
(ULIMO-Krahn).  Other Krahn factions subsequently joined Johnson.

The fighting came in the wake of scattered skirmishes that
followed the signing of the Abuja Accord, a comprehensive peace
agreement among leaders of the main warring factions in Liberia
on August 19, 1995.  The accord came after nearly six years of
civil war, in which more than 150,000 Liberians died, about
740,000 fled the country as refugees, and 800,000 became
internally displaced.

On April 29, fighting erupted in the area of the executive
mansion, located near the Barclay Training Center (BTC), between
ULIMO-Krahn and NPFL forces.  Approximately 15,000 - 20,000
people took refuge in the BTC when fighting began on April 6,
including armed members of ULIMO-Krahn, and the Armed Forces of
Liberia, a contending faction.  Fighting was reported in the area
of the BTC on May 4 and 5.  Krahn fighters apparently
successfully prevented NPFL forces from taking the BTC.  On May 6
NPFL and Krahn fighters skirmished near the U.S. Embassy
compound.  Several rounds hit the perimeter of the U.S. Embassy
compound and U.S. Marines returned fire in self-defense.  No
injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.  Sporadic
fighting continued on May 7, but a cease-fire appeared to be
taking hold in some areas of the city.

A meeting of the Economic Community of West African States
(ECOWAS) Committee of Nine on Liberia opened May 6, with
ministerial participation.  The Ghanaian Foreign Minister
announced on May 8 that the ministers had agreed on specific
recommendations to reinvigorate the Abuja Accord, including:  an
immediate cease-fire; immediate withdrawal from Monrovia of all
fighters and weapons; and, a return of Monrovia to its status as
a safe haven for the civilian population.  The ministers agreed
that they would reconvene in 90 days to review the progress and
commitment of the faction leaders.  On May 6, the U.N. Security
Council adopted a presidential statement:  deploring the wanton
killing and atrocities committed against innocent civilians by
forces of the warring factions; reminding all states to comply
with the embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military
equipment to Liberia imposed by Resolution 788 of 1992; and,
stressing the importance of the ECOWAS meeting on Liberia and
urging the faction leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the
Abuja peace process.  On May 3, the U.S. Department of State
announced visa restrictions for Liberian faction leaders, their
families, close associates, and others who are impeding Liberia's
peace process.  The U.S. indicated that it is prepared to
consider further measures if faction leaders continue to obstruct
the peace process.

Current Humanitarian Situation:  The fighting has displaced at
least 80,000 people, with over 20,000 now seeking shelter in the
Greystone compound of the U.S. Embassy since fighting began again
on April 29.  USAID/DART trucked in water to Greystone on May 7
to fill two 10,000 liter water bladders.  Working with a team of
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and Action Contre la Faim (ACF)
personnel, USAID/DART has begun to get the water and sanitation
situation under control at the compound.  Twenty-four new cases
of measles have been reported at Greystone.  USAID/DART is trying
to arrange transport of measles vaccine from Swede Relief
Hospital to Greystone to re-start MSF's vaccination program. 
USAID/DART attended a meeting at the ECOWAS Military Observer
Group (ECOMOG) compound with U.N. agencies, MSF, and ACF.  The
U.N. Department of Humanitarian Affairs (UNDHA) is holding
emergency relief coordination meetings in the U.N.'s Riverview
compound every other day.  Catholic Hospital has treated 600
wounded patients, with the majority wounded from car accidents
rather than from gunshot.  John F. Kennedy Hospital (JFK) is
operating with 10 physicians treating 48 patients.  The National
Drug Service Warehouse located near JFK is intact.  New pockets
of displaced persons have been located, with approximately 4,000
people congregating near the ECOMOG base and an estimated 1,200
in the Vamoma House near the World Food Program (WFP) offices. 
The Good Samaritan orphanage reports 120 children in need of food
and the Cheshire House also reports some handicapped children in
need of food.  WFP plans to deliver emergency food and
food-for-work rations by May 9 to retain doctors and health
workers in the hospitals.  WFP and the U.S. Embassy have
delivered a total of approximately 2,000 metric tons of food in
Monrovia and surrounding areas since April 10.  Food warehouses
located at the port are still secure.

U.S. Government (USG) FY 1996 Humanitarian Assistance:  
Total OFDA Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,789,058
Other USG Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$61,347,425
TOTAL USG FY 1996 Humanitarian Assistance (to date). .$65,136,483