Journey to Liberia Reveals Struggle to Rebuild After Brutal Civil War
Episcopal News Service. February 28, 1991 [91064]
Bruce Woodcock
I first worked with George Browne in 1982 when I joined the presiding bishop's staff in the Office of World Mission. During my last visit to West Africa in 1985, I traveled with Browne on his introductory tour of Ghana as the new archbishop of the province.
In December 1989 rebel forces invaded Liberia and started the civil war that led to the killing of President Samuel Doe in September 1990. Fighting in and around the capital city of Monrovia for several months was intense, and the toll on human life was devastating.
The archbishop's life was threatened on several occasions, but he refused to leave his people in their time of greatest need. The Office of World Mission had received reports that Archbishop Browne had lost between 40 and 50 pounds as a result of his ordeal. I traveled on behalf of the presiding bishop as a special emissary to deliver $17,500, mail from associates and family, and 50 kilos of food and medicines to the archbishop. On behalf of the Anglican Communion, I also sought advice from the archbishop concerning how the communion might help in reconstruction efforts.
Travel to Monrovia was extremely difficult as the roads remained cut by rebel troops. No commercial flights were operational. I spent my first two days in Freetown (capital of Liberia's northern neighbor, Sierra Leone) trying to convince the U.S. Embassy to let me onto their disaster assistance flights. As I prepared to leave, I was informed that the United Nations had, that day, seized control of the small plane and that passage would be doubtful. Over the next three days, roughly every 12 hours, I was informed alternately that it would be "impossible to get on the plane" or that "you will be on the next flight."
Finally, I was allowed passage to Monrovia on January 31.
One cannot begin to describe the horror, and complete destruction of a national infrastructure, experienced by those who are living in Monrovia. There are no basic services operating in the city. Most people are simply stunned and bewildered as to how the total destruction of the Liberian society could have been allowed in today's global community. Because of the overwhelming numbers of persons killed on the streets, many of the dead went unburied and decomposed rapidly, leaving only scraps of clothing and bleached bones.
Almost every building had been looted or had suffered other damage, whether from bullet holes or the large craters from artillery shelling and bombing. Some areas resemble a battle-zone no-man's-land similar to areas of Beirut. Many homes and shops have been destroyed; the roofs or walls have partially collapsed. Because of this grim destruction, resettlement centers and reconstruction assistance are a priority concern for Archbishop Browne.
West African Peacekeeping Force checkpoints are numerous, and even people on foot are searched for weapons. Looting has dropped off because almost every building has been ransacked. One development agency purchased a "used" computer on the street and was amazed to find its own software and records intact when it turned the system on. All major medical facilities were looted, and the hospital is now just an empty shell.
Few palm trees remain in some parts of the city because the edible palm hearts were one of the few sources of protein available to those who stayed in Monrovia during the fighting. Lack of protein has caused widespread malnutrition, especially among the children. Feeding clinics are being established and supported by UNICEF and other international relief agencies, including Church World Service (CWS).
By the time of my visit, some street-side markets and small shops had reopened. Smoked fish was available for sale on the street, but all food is extremely expensive. A cup of rice could cost as much as 15 Liberian dollars ($1.50 U.S. currency). With all the looting, almost any hardware item could be found for sale, mostly at bargain prices, especially if traded for food. Gas was available at $ 8 (U.S. currency) per gallon in glass jars on the street, but most likely it will soon become more expensive as remaining supplies dry up. Vehicles are reappearing as ferryboats begin to arrive from Freetown (a three-day journey under difficult conditions), but public transport is still scarce.
Archbishop George Browne has steadfastly remained with his people in Liberia while most church leaders fled from the violence of the 13-month-old civil war. Seven Episcopal churches are open in Monrovia, providing spiritual support and guidance during a period of Liberia's history marked by horrible atrocities and human suffering on a grand scale. The archbishop's presence throughout this period no doubt gave strength to Liberians trapped both in the capital and countryside. As we walked down the street, he was again and again hailed by passers-by, and he greeted each of them with his ever-present pastoral smile and comforting wink of good faith of better times to come.
The population of Monrovia dropped from 450,000 to 150,000 during the intense fighting in the city and has grown from 300,000 to 500,000 in the past two months. The population is expected to continue to grow to over a million by year's end. Many of the returnees seek a safe base to operate from, for a few weeks, in their search to locate loved ones, and need time to visit and rebuild their homes to make them secure for their permanent return.
Archbishop Browne said that he considers resettlement centers as one of the highest priorities for the capital. Although he plans to further refine the program with the Liberian Christian Council, the archbishop outlined some preliminary design points. Here are three:
- 1. A center would be established at each major access road to Monrovia (two centers at first, then perhaps four later), holding about 100 beds each, to provide families with food and shelter for up to two weeks;
- 2. food, blankets, and some reconstruction assistance might be provided to those trying to return to areas of the city where housing has been destroyed; and
- 3. malnourished children would be referred to the clinics to participate in the feeding programs supported by CWS.
The regional CWS representative, Lowell Fuglie, also recommended a gardening component be added to provide vegetable seed and tools. CWS has also initiated 20-ton shipments of dried fish from Dakar to be sent monthly into Monrovia to food distribution centers for the malnourished.
The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief recently approved an emergency grant of $25,000 to initiate the first shipment of this desperately needed source of protein.
Both CWS and the Presiding Bishop's Fund. for World Relief have issued special appeals to seek funds for the relief program in Liberia.
Although Archbishop Browne's life has been threatened repeatedly, he is still encouraged by the Liberian Christian Council (those members who remain in Monrovia) to continue his peace-seeking missions in conversations with the leaders of the two rebel factions and interim government officials.
These are most dangerous expeditions and obviously provide the archbishop with great tests of faith in his abilities to find reason in the disastrous, illogical situation that confronts the people of Liberia. I have seen few measures of such courage, but none greater than Archbishop George Browne's. Pray for him and his people as a true and lasting peace has yet to arrive in Liberia.