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Imagine this: On January 15, 2009, six years after the official end of war in Liberia, local and international media announced that a new group of attackers had resurfaced in Central Liberia (Bong County), leaving in their wake hundreds of towns threatened with starvation; crops ravaged; water sources made dirty.  Three hundred and fifty thousand (350,000) persons, mostly subsistent farmers, see food insecurity around the corner; water borne diseases at their doorsteps.  

But this is not the result of armed attack to which Liberians had been subjected for 14 years.  These residents and their crops are being invaded by another type of marauders: green, jumpy caterpillars, very organized in their destructive campaign.  They were initially referred to as “Army Worms” because of the precision and organized nature of their attack. (Although experts say they are not “Army Worms”, but identified them as another species of worms scientifically known as Achea Catocaloids, which is locally referred to as “Gben” in the Mano Language of Liberia).   These pests cling to the leaves and stems of plants, consume them entirely, before falling to the ground or moving to their next victim.  Their excrements fall into streams and rivers, whose waters are used for drinking, cooking, and washing of dishes.        

“I saw trees dry, skinny and leafless.  They appeared old and worn out, as if they were brought from the desert, or consumed by wild fire.  As a disaster management expert, I asked some of the villagers what was the cause of the trees’ appalling state, and I was informed that it was the work of the caterpillars.  It was then that I realized that it was a disaster in the making.”  This was the description given by Christopher Johnson, Liberian Red Cross’ Disaster Management Officer, who had formed part of an LNRCS rapid assessment team that visited the area.    

A disaster in the making indeed, except for the intervention of the Liberian Red Cross and other humanitarian actors. After collaborating with the Ministry of Health through the County Health Team of Bong County to do initial assessment, the Liberian Red Cross constructed one shallow well and rehabilitated one hand pump in Zota District, one of the affected areas.  The Red Cross also distributed 537 pieces of jerry cans to 537 families with a total population of 7,443 persons.  Five extremely affected communities benefited from this distribution.  They include Larwei, Kolonta, Denyea, Malangai, and Shankpallai.  

While the volunteers of the local chapter were spreading health and hygiene messages in the above five communities to ensure environmental cleanliness, the Headquarters pre-positioned 150 bottles (0.5 litres per bottle) to do household chlorination.

While other specialized organizations are contributing to the fight by spraying and donating other items and conducting research, the Liberian Red Cross is proud to be a part of the process because disaster response and mitigation is our mandate.  Furthermore, it gives us a unique opportunity to mobilize the power of humanity to help humanity through volunteerism.