500 fire victims decry abandonment

Over 500 destitute Liberians made homeless as a result of fire disaster have alarmed abandonment by the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS). The spokesperson for the group, Mr. Daniel Washington told reporters over the weekend that since their various shelters were burnt by fire, the LNRCS is yet to send its assessment team to see the level of damage done to their properties.

Mr. Washington disclosed that besides the LNRCS’ failure to visit those areas, it is yet to provide humanitarian assistance through the National Disaster Office. According to him, some of the victims in Montserrado County are sleeping in church buildings while others are being sheltered by neighbors, who are now running out of endurance.

Washington disclosed there are about 215 children some of whom are not living with their biological parents, which he noted makes it very difficult for their step parents to provide proper care. However, sources close to the LNRCS National Disaster Management Office told reporters that the Red Cross has in recent times documented over 29 fire disaster incidents.

The source added the institution is making frantic effort in responding to the needs of affected persons but it requires time to adequately respond to the victims. When the LNRCS Public Relations Department was contacted on the claims, our reporter was directed to the LNRCS National Disaster Management Office, where this paper was informed by one of the staff who begged for anonymity that the recent shake-up at the institution is responsible for the slow pace of activities of the Disaster Department.

By Emmanuel D. Mondaye, Freelance Journalist -Editing by Jonathan Browne