Liberia |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Caterpillar Infestation /span>
OFDA Response:
Water, sanitation, and hygiene
OFDA Preparedness:
Protection
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Caterpillar Infestation, 02-04-2009
Beginning in early January, a caterpillar infestation destroyed crops, contaminated water supplies, and temporarily forced residents from homes and farms in three counties in northern and central Liberia, particularly Bong County. According to international media reports, the infestation affected more than 500,000 people residing in approximately 100 villages. The Government of Liberia reported that the infestation was the country’s worst in three decades, and dispatched pest-control experts and insecticide-spraying teams to affected areas. On February 4, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization reported that although caterpillars had affected agriculture, the infestation had not damaged staple crops, such as maize, rice, sorghum, and millet. On January 26, the President of Liberia declared a nationwide state of emergency and requested international assistance.
On February 4, 2009, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield declared a disaster due to the effects of the caterpillar infestation. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Liberia to Catholic Relief Services and Concern International for pest-control activities and water and sanitation programs in areas contaminated by caterpillar excrement.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Liberia, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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