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Liberia
FY 2001 Program Description and Activity Data Sheets
>> Regional Overview >> Liberia Overview FY 2001 Program
USAID's democracy and governance activities in FY 1999 were greatly reduced because of the September 1998 conflict and congressional holds placed on $1.2 million targeted for democracy and governance activities. Beginning in FY 2000, Liberia is subject to Brooke sanctions. Consistent with available legal authorities, USAID Liberia will be focussing the entire program even more narrowly on strengthening the voice of NGOs. USAID believes that continuing to challenge the present government through civil society strengthening will be critical in developing a culture of tolerance, an informed electorate, viable political parties, and an enabling environment that may positively affect the nature and outcome of Liberia's presidential and general election in 2003.
In support of resettlement and economic growth, USAID will continue activities in health, agriculture, primary education, and vocational training, which are consistent with our legal authorities. USAID will also continue to provide training for war affected youth, including ex-combatants.
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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Liberia
TITLE AND NUMBER: Successful Democratic Transition Including Free and Fair Elections, 669-001
PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $400,000 (DA)
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $1,200,000 (DFA)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2001Summary: After seven years of civil war, 1990 to 1996, Liberia successfully conducted presidential and general elections in 1997. Given its history of military/dictatorial rule over most of the past 20 years, Liberia faces substantial challenges in institutionalizing its democracy. The country does not have a tradition of political tolerance, clear separation of powers among the three branches of government, respect for the rights of the individual independent political parties, and an informed and active electorate. The government of President Charles Taylor, which assumed the presidency in August 1997, has exhibited all of the weaknesses emerging from Liberia's past experience. The executive branch has exerted significant influence over the judiciary and legislative branches of government. The executive branch has not been tolerant of real opposition and direct criticism of the government and President Taylor. Individuals who criticize the government often find themselves harassed, threatened, and faced with possible treason charges. The ruling National Patriotic Party has a strong majority in the legislature of more than 70% and there is no viable and adequately funded opposition parties that could effectively challenge the government. Government expenditures are not transparent and the executive branch continues to have access to substantial off-budget resources. The Human Rights Commission is not operational and the Elections Commission is chronically under-funded and unable to effectively carryout its duties of organizing and overseeing local and national elections. Both the judiciary and the legislature suffer from inadequate funds, and untrained and poorly educated staff and members.
Support for a broad-based Democracy and Governance program has been essential to promote human rights and freedom of speech, enhance the separation of powers and improve the effectiveness of the legislature and judiciary, strengthen the print and electronic media, and improve the knowledge and participation of the electorate.
Key Results: The results achieved under this strategic objective include: (1) assistance to Liberia helped it conduct free and transparent presidential and general elections in July 1997; (2) the Independent Election Committee succeeded in running a national election; (3) over 20 local NGOs provided vital assistance to the election process; (4) the Elections Commission carried out a successful voter registration program and held by-elections in Lofa County in May 1998; (5) USAID established an independent and objective news radio station; (6) USAID sponsored a successful high-level roundtable discussion on the relationship between the media and security institutions, and (7) USAID sponsored a national seminar on the Liberian Economy and the way forward.
Performance and Prospects: The activities supported under this strategic objective have facilitated the national dialogue on democracy and governance issues, strengthened the elections process, helped to inform the electorate, and improved local capacity to monitor human rights incidents. The need for continued democracy and governance work is critical. Particularly in light of Brooke sanctions, USAID proposes to support civil society's voice and civil society strengthening more generally. However, the prospects for further USAID democracy and governance funding is in question because of the congressional holds placed on FY 1999 funds targeted for democracy and governance activities. Assuming future funds are made available, there are significant prospects for strengthening the print and electronic media, informing the electorate, and sensitizing the population about their rights and responsibilities. USAID assistance will be directed to take advantage of the narrow political opening that the Government has tolerated and to assist Liberia to meet minimal standards of democratic governance to keep the slow pace of momentum from stalling completely.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: The Brooke Amendment, which prohibits certain types of assistance to countries like Liberia which are more than one year behind in their debt payments, was not waived in FY 2000. As a result USAID will not be able to work directly with the Government of Liberia, which includes the legislative and judiciary branches of government. USAID will work with the media, human rights groups, and civil society in promoting greater tolerance and a more informed electorate.
Other Donor Programs: The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), in collaboration with the Office of the Director General of the President's Cabinet, is sponsoring a series of good governance workshops and seminars for government officials, civil society, and the business community to identify and discuss good governance issues and develop recommendations to be implemented by concerned parties. UNDP will also conduct an assessment of the democracy and governance sector to develop a program for additional assistance.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Implementing partners include the Carter Center, U.S. Department of Justice, International Foundation for Election Systems, and the National Democratic Institute.
Selected Performance Measures: Baseline
(1997)Actual
(1998)Target
(1999)Target
(2000)Target
(2001)Star Radio FM Radio operational 0 1 1 1 1 Independent printing press established 0 0 0 1 1 Judges, magistrates and lawyers trained 0 0 300 300 0 Court reporters trained 30 0 30 30 0 Human rights grants awarded to local NGOs 0 0 3 3 3 Election offices renovated 0 0 18 0/td> 0 U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Liberia
TITLE AND NUMBER: Successful Transition from Relief to Recovery Through a Community Reintegration Program 669-002
PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $4,490,000 (DA), $1,802,000 (CSD)
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $1,850,000 (CSD), $6,622,000 (DFA)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2001Summary: The devastation of the civil crisis affected every fabric of the Liberian society. Academic and health institutions were either vandalized or massively looted. The fluid security situation that existed in other parts of the country necessitated the massive influx of people into Monrovia as internally displaced persons and the migration of Liberians into neighboring countries as refugees. The gradual improvement in the security situation following the presidential election and subsequent installation of a constitutional government, facilitated the repatriation of Liberian refugees from neighboring countries and the return of the internally displaced to their original places of residence prior to the civil crisis. The focus of USAID's assistance was accordingly shifted from emergency humanitarian relief to rehabilitation, recovery and ultimately sustainable development. Rural revitalization primarily through investments in community-based, productive sector micro-projects are crucial to peace, stability, and recovery. Support for the resettlement, reintegration, and economic recovery continues to be the main thrust of USAID programs for FY 2001 and the medium term thereafter.
Key Results: The results achieved under this strategic objective include: (1) resettlement of 672,000 internally displaced persons; (2) repatriation of 250,000 refugees from Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria; (3) renovation of 120 health facilities and 88 schools; (4) provision of vocational skills to more than 9,000 war affected youths; (5) distribution of 2,856 metric tons of seed rice benefiting over 123,000 farm families; (6) distribution of more than 600,000 pieces of assorted farming tools to 135,000 farm families; (7) 25% increase in rice production above the 1997 harvest; and (8) a coverage above 100% for the 1999 National Immunization Days for the eradication of polio in Liberia.
Performance and Prospects: The activities in support of this strategic objective are very crucial to the recovery process and will facilitate the return of former combatants, refugees, and the internally displaced to their villages. USAID is confident that it will continue to make significant progress in facilitating the recovery process. Rehabilitation assistance will focus on sustaining conditions for resettlement and building the capacity of local organizations to help deliver assistance, working primarily through international PVOs and NGOs. The Government of Liberia's budget constraints will also virtually eliminate the possibility that the government will be able to absorb the cost of providing assistance for these activities in the near future.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: Since the suspension of all USAID funded projects in Lofa County following the second armed incursion on August 10, 1999, barely four months after the first armed incursion, the security situation in that county remains volatile and dangerous. There are frequent newspaper reports about lawlessness and the harassment of the local population in Lofa County. With the problem in Lofa County still far from being resolved, World Vision's request to relocate its health activities from Lofa to Bomi County will be approved by USAID. This would facilitate the achievement of the project objectives and maintain the confidence of the communities in Bomi County that have waited so long in anticipation for World Vision to revitalize their health services.
Other Donor Programs: The European Union is revitalizing primary health care services in the southeastern region of Liberia. The European Union and UNICEF are supporting the National Drug Service to ensure the availability of essential drugs in public health institutions. UNICEF and WHO are providing vaccines and supplies for the Expanded Program for Immunization as well as technical and logistical support to the Ministry of Health for health services revitalization. Other major bilateral and multilateral donors include the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Donor activities include assistance to develop fiscal and monetary policies, food aid, food security, community-based projects, and public works activities.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Current grantees and contractors include Africare, Catholic Relief Services, Centers for Disease Control, Equator Bank, International Foundation for Education and Self Help, International Rescue Committee, Lutheran World Service, Opportunities Industrialization Center, Phelps-Stokes Fund, Save the Children Fund, United Nations Children Fund, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Office of Project Supports, World Health Organization, and World Vision International.
Major Results Indicators: Baseline
(1997)Actual
(1998)Target
(1999)Target
(2000)Target
(2001)Children under 5 years of age
who are fully immunized26% 35% 45% 55% 65% Children under 5 years of age
whose births are attended
by skilled health worker25% 35% 45% 55% 65% Increase rice production
above the 1997 harvest0 30% 35% 40% 45% Job creation through the rehabilitation
of cash crop production0 0 5,800 5,800 5,800 Annual number of persons completing
Vocational skills training3,297 3,600 1,900 1,000 0 U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)
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Last Updated on: December 29, 2000 |
