The head of mission for Doctors Without Borders, Pierre Mendiharat, says the numbers of civilian causalities and displaced people in Monrovia are growing. Mr. Mendiharat says the humanitarian organization is now headquartered in Monrovia’s Mamba Point neighborhood.
He says in some displacement centers in the city there are over five thousand people, who have no food or water. In the last two days, the group has treated more than 100 civilians. Also, a Doctors Without Borders employee was killed over the weekend when a rocket fell on his home after he returned from work.
The group is also helping to care for more than 20-thousand people who have sought shelter at the Samuel Doe Stadium and is assisting at some downtown clinics. The group is unable to reach refugee camps outside the city because the situation is described as too dangerous.
Mr. Mendiharat says Doctors Without Borders has enough supplies for now, but warns if the fighting continues, supplies of food and fuel could run out. He says an international intervention force is needed now more than ever in Liberia.
Mr. Mendiharat spoke by satellite phone with English to Africa reporter Joe De Capua. Click above links to download or listen to interview.