|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
 |
  |
LIBERIA
>> Regional Overview >> Liberia Overview
Development Challenge Summary Tables
Program Summary
Previous Years' Activities
2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 199748
Introduction
Political, economic, and social conditions in Liberia remain in a state of transition. Following the end of the civil war in 1997, USAID has sought to help Liberia progress through the development continuum from crisis, to recovery, to sustainable development. From 1997-2000, the USAID program strategy has straddled this continuum through a modest, but successful program focusing on the resettlement and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons, and a modest, but less successful democracy and governance program. Program efforts addressed constraints to development at the community and public sector levels. During this period, the United States Government (USG) envisioned Liberia transitioning from an emergency/relief/recovery program mode to a more sustainable development mode, especially during the past two years (1999-2000). Serious political backsliding, resulting in a stagnation of progress on the democratic governance front, unfortunately, has clouded this vision. However, throughout the country, at the individual and community levels, people are trying to improve their lives. USAID has made significant progress in addressing children's health needs, helping families feed themselves, and working with local communities to take care of the other basic needs of life. However, the oppressive and unresponsive Charles Taylor government has overshadowed these achievements and alienated its citizens and the donor community. The situation has further deteriorated, as Taylor's role in fueling and maintaining the war in Sierra Leone has become more evident.
In an effort to continue assistance for the civilian population, USAID has developed a new three-year strategy (2001-2003) that will continue the humanitarian programs and activities of the current strategy. USAID will continue to support the delivery of basic health care services in targeted areas and help improve food security in those same communities. Without this critical assistance, the possibility of refugee outflows to neighboring countries already struggling to obtain or maintain stability increases. There will be, however, a fundamental shift in approach and direction. The strategy aims to increase the involvement and capacity of local non-government organizations in order to help move Liberia closer to a stage where sustainable development can occur. An important result of building this capacity, through international organizations, will be the development of civil society's ability to organize itself, to acquire skills and experience in democratic governance at the local level, and to increase its voice in a broader range of civic actions.
The USAID program (2001-2003) supports U.S. national interests through promoting economic growth, rule of law and democracy, reducing human suffering, and promoting regional stability. Given the current socio-political environment, support will be directed at strengthening the role of Liberia's civil society in democratic governance.
The Development Challenge
Liberia continues to face overwhelming challenges. The country faces an 80% illiteracy rate, 80% unemployment in the formal sector, a low revenue base, significant and ongoing destruction of public and private institutions and facilities, extremely limited public utilities, and widespread corruption. The annual population growth rate of 3.3% offsets efforts to improve the standard of living. Although most health facilities that were looted and vandalized during the war have been renovated or replaced, much of the population still lives without access to primary health services. The national HIV/AIDS infection rate is 8% and rising. The problem of Liberia's low productive capacity and small revenue base is compounded by the government's debt burden, which includes foreign debt of nearly $3 billion and domestic debt of $124 million.
U.S. assistance has been critical to maintaining internal stability to mitigate a return to a complex humanitarian crisis, the last of which resulted in widespread displacement. This can best be done by making social services available to the resettled population, training ex-combatants, reestablishing health and educational institutions, and feeding vulnerable groups. Over 135,000 farm families benefited from agricultural activities and over 300,000 primary school children participated in school feeding programs since 1999. In FY 2000, USAID provided basic health care services to 1,307 remote communities with an estimated population of 1.5 million inhabitants in seven of Liberia's 13 counties. An estimated 126,861 children under five of age are receiving child survival services and 149,249 families are receiving maternal health services. USAID was the largest contributor to Liberia's highly successful Polio Eradication Program, which vaccinated more than 832,477 children throughout the country.
Despite the significant accomplishments, FY 2000 was a year filled with major obstacles, which impeded progress in planning and implementing USAID activities. Incursions by dissidents in Lofa County continued, which has thus far resulted in the loss of vehicles, equipment and 1,200 tons of food aid, and the complete withdrawal of donors and NGOs from the county. The persistent insecurity in Lofa County and nearby counties has forced USAID and other donors to rethink their assistance strategies and redirect their assistance to other geographic areas.
Other Donors
The European Union is Liberia's largest donor, followed by the United States, which provides one third of the total assistance provided to Liberia. The two largest donors accounted for almost two thirds of the assistance being provided for Liberia's civilian population. Other major bilateral and multilateral donors include Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Donor activities include assistance to improve food security, democracy and governance, income generation, and basic health care.
FY 2002 Program
The USAID Liberia program will continue to implement activities that improve the food security and health status of the Liberian people. USAID will also continue to provide training in literacy, numeracy, life and vocational skills for war-affected youth, including ex-child soldiers, using funds available through the Leahy War Victim Fund and Displaced Children and Orphans Fund. USAID activities in FY 2001 are funded with resources from the Development Assistance Fund, P.L. 480 Title II, and Child Survival and Disease Fund.
Beginning in FY 2000, Liberia was subjected to sanctions under the Brooke Amendment. Consistent with available legal authorities to provide continued assistance, USAID Liberia will be focusing the program on ensuring no further slippage in food security and health standards, while also strengthening the voice of civil society non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Implementation will be carried out entirely through international and local NGOs which will have an additional benefit of strengthening the voice and role of civil society in local governance. 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 elections in 2003.
Activity Data Sheets
- 669-001, Successful Democratic Transition Including Free and Fair Elections
- 669-002, Successful Transition from Relief to Recovery Through a Community Reintegration Program
- 669-003, Increased Use of Essential Primary Health Care (PHC) Services Through Civil Society
- 669-004, Increased Food Security in Targeted Areas
- 669-005, Increased Role of Civil Society in Democratic Governance Strengthened
 |
|||
Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
