Liberia: The Aid agencies

Aid agencies warn of an impending humanitarian crisis in Liberia

In a Hardtalk interview on August 6, David Jessel speaks to Stephen Kolee, Project Manager for ActionAid Liberia. He asks him about what needs to be done to prevent further bloodshed in the country.

Click here to watch the full interview

Stephen Kolee came to London in early May for what was intended to be a short trip but he became stranded after civil war erupted in Liberia.

Born and raised in Liberia, he has worked in the development field since the early 1990s.

He said that Liberia's condition is now desperate and with every hour that passes more people are dying.

His organisation, Action Aid, wants immediate intervention from international forces preferably led by the United States.

He said that ActionAid was struggling to distribute aid as its basic facilities had been put out of action.

He told Hardtalk that Liberia's basic infrastructure had been destroyed by 14 years of civil war.

Liberia's last election was in 1997. It was independently monitored by international observers and Charles Taylor recorded over 70% of the vote.

But Stephen Kolee said that democratic elections were just one step towards democratic governance.

"It's what happens after the elections that counts. Democratic institutions need to be promoted. So far this simply has not happened."

He said he understood the anxieties the Americans might have about intervening in another country, but said that they had nothing to fear.

HARDtalk can be seen on BBC World at 03:30 GMT, 08:30 GMT, 11:30 GMT, 15:30 GMT, 18:30 GMT and 23:30 GMT.

It can also be seen on BBC News 24 at 03:30 GMT and 22:30 GMT