WEST AFRICA: UNHCR seeks over US $10 million for refugees from Liberia

In response to an outflow of refugees from Liberia into neighbouring countries, the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) asked donors on Friday for US $10.4 million to fund its emergency relief operations in the region. The bid for funds "comes amid increasing concern over the condition of tens of thousands of displaced Liberians and Sierra Leonean refugees caught up in the conflict", UNHCR spokesman Rod Redmond said in Geneva. "It also follows the arrival of more than 76,000 fresh Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries since the beginning of this year - an exodus continuing."