DATE=08/16/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LIBERIA/AID (S)

NUMBER=2-306543

BYLINE=SARAH SIMPSON

DATELINE=ABIDJAN

CONTENT:

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Humanitarian operations have begun in the Liberian capital of Monrovia, now that peacekeepers have taken control of the city's port from rebels. But there are big obstacles to overcome in distributing the aid. Sarah Simpson reports from V-O-A's West Africa bureau in Abidjan.

TEXT: Two U-N ships carrying food and medical supplies have docked at the main port, following the withdrawal of rebels from the area.

Limited supplies have been brought in by air, but aid workers say the big problem now is distributing the food.

Though the ships have arrived, their cargoes are still on board, because the equipment needed to unload the vessels has been damaged.

In addition to shortages of food and drinking water in Monrovia, fuel is scarce, adding to the problems distributing aid.

U-N envoy Jacques Paul Klein says, because of the deplorable humanitarian situation, he is pressing for the lifting of U-N sanctions imposed on Liberia. (SIGNED)

NEB/SS/DW/TW