In view of the gravity and urgency of the crisis the Administration's use of drawdown authority would be appropriate. The United States should acknowledge the rapidly growing humanitarian crisis in Sierra Leone by increasing its funding of assistance programs and convincing other nations to step up their support. More is at stake than continuing chaos and suffering in Sierra Leone. The destruction of Sierra Leone's elected government will reverberate throughout West Africa causing further instability. We note with regret the stark contrast between the attention and resources the Administration is committing to resolution of the crises in Kosovo and Central America with its response to the desperate situation in Sierra Leone.
Every human life is precious, none more so than any other.
Thank you for your consideration of the humanitarian plight in Sierra Leone and for American attention and resources, diplomatic and humanitarian. U.S. Catholic Mission Association U.S. Committee for Refugees Washington Office on Africa West African Women's Crusade for Peace Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.