Despite the positive developments such as successful democratic elections which brought Liberia and Africa's first female president to power, the completion of parliamentary elections and the return to their homes of over a quarter of a million IDPs and refugees, Liberia still requires urgent humanitarian assistance and support. The longer-term reintegration and rehabilitation of the returnees is still in progress, as many of their basic needs remain unmet The majority of the population remains without access to adequate basic services including healthcare, drinking water, shelter and education.  The situation has been compounded by an inadequate physical infrastructure - much of it destroyed during the civil war - and with many of the roads being rendered impassable during the rainy season

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CERF funds time-critical agricultural inputs in Liberia

22 February 2007: An estimated 350,000 households in Liberia depend on farming for their livelihood. Available data, however, shows that the existing rice seeds supplies will not be able to support the upcoming planting season which has already begun in some regions. 140,000 families, including returnees who arrived during the second half of 2006 and vulnerable farmers who were excluded during last year’s seeds distribution, have the highest priority for emergency assistance. Yet, prior to CERF intervention, commitments from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners in this sector covered only 60,000 households.

FAO training on pest management practices. [Photo:FAO]

The CERF grant of US$ 2.199,555 to FAO will support the life-saving food security needs of this vulnerable population. FAO will address the needs of the remaining 80,000 war affected farming families in 13 Liberian counties to enhance response to time-critical requirements based on demonstrable needs. In close collaboration with the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture and UN and non-governmental partners, FAO will purchase 2,000 metric tones of quality rice seeds and distribute it. In addition, farmers will be trained in improving crop production methods, seeds multiplication and new technical knowledge to enhance the harvest. This project aims at reducing the affected populations’ dependency on relief food and the families’ malnourishment.

[Last update: 5 March 2007]

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CERF allocates US$ 1.5 million to Liberia as part of the second underfunded allocation in 2007.

Fourteen years of civil conflict and the collapse of the health infrastructure have led to some of the worst health indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria, diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections, and vaccine-preventable diseases continue to be reported and contribute to the high maternal, neonatal, infant and child mortality rates in the country.

With a CERF grant the World Health Organization (WHO) is providing tetanus toxoid vaccination to all women of child-bearing age, distributing treated mosquito nets and vitamin A supplementation for targeted populations as well as reducing maternal, neonatal/infant and child mortality. In addition, WHO is training almost 3,200 health workers.

To address an urgent need for basic primary health care in River Cess County, Liberia, WHO is refurbishing four clinics, including water points and toilets. The UN agency is also providing drugs, medical and non-medical equipment and training health staff and community members.

A baby’s temperature being taken at a funded health clinic in Monrovia, February 2007 [Photo: IRIN/Ridley]

To avoid a break in the provision of integrated basic primary health care and reproductive health services in two rural districts WHO is supporting a programme for the residents of Haindi in Fuamah District. Activities include mobilizing and sensitizing community, completing the renovation of the Ding-Gola clinic, procuring drugs and medical supplies and distributing reproductive health (RH) kits provided by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).  

In addition, UNFPA is training health workers in the use of RH kits, so that many health service delivery points will be able to provide life-saving treatment in case of pregnancy-related and post-partum complications as well as to prevent maternal mortality.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is assisting people in Sinoe County, one of the most underserved areas of Liberia. The project is seeking to provide community mobilisation as well as training 200 hygiene promoters and 50 health teachers to sensitise schools, health facilities and war-affected communities. Activities also include the rehabilitation of 35 existing water points and 15 institutional latrines as well as the construction of 6 new institutional latrines and 6 new hand-dug wells with hand pumps. Finally, UNICEF is training 200 community members to operate and maintain wells and latrines.

[Last Update: 15 October 2007]

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CERF in Liberia 2008

CERF in Liberia 2006

Download the 2007 Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Liberia
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