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Liberia
>> Regional Overview >> Liberia Overview
Previous Years' Activities
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Last updated: 20
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Long after presidential elections in 1997 marked the end of its civil war, Liberia continues to face overwhelming challenges. The economy and the Government of Liberia (GOL) are in disarray and basic human needs are being supplied by the donor community. Eighty percent of the country's 2.6 million people live in poverty. Eighty percent are illiterate. Severe unemployment has become the norm. Corruption is widespread. The current government's policies on human rights and fostering regional insecurity have prevented the international community from providing the support that Liberia desperately needs to overcome its serious problems. Fiscally, the government is in a dire financial condition. Liberia's external debt amounts to over $2.2 billion, more than five times its GDP. Most revenues and expenditures are off-budget. Therefore, the GOL does not have the means to service this debt and provide for the basic human needs of its people. Given the current political environment, and until such time as effective engagement can be resumed with the GOL, USAID will be working with international and local non-governmental organizations and community groups to help provide basic services, while directing its primary effort toward the strengthening of Liberia's civil society to build self-reliance and foster civic education and human rights. In this way, civil society will, hopefully, be positioned to take advantage of a political opening whenever that might occur. USAID will also support national reconciliation between political parties, as well as working with the international donor community in supporting Liberia's presidential and general elections scheduled for 2003.
Liberia has not recovered from the Civil War and its aftermath. Much of the economy has been destroyed. Physical, human and social infrastructures have been severely damaged. Many Liberians are still psychologically affected. U.S. assistance has been critical to maintaining internal stability to avoid a return to a destructive and costly humanitarian crisis. USAID programs have provided social services to resettled populations, training for ex-combatants, support for health and educational institutions, and feeding programs for vulnerable groups. The USAID program supports U.S. national interests through promoting good governance, reducing human suffering, and promoting regional stability.
THE USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $6.519 million FY 2003 Request: $6.227 million The attached Program Data Sheets cover the three Strategic Objectives (SOs) for which USAID is requesting funds. These three SOs concentrate on increasing civil society's capacity for supporting the restoration of good governance in Liberia while improving food security and access to essential health care services.
In FY 2002, USAID assistance will fund international and national non-government organizations (NGOs) by integrating and supporting maternal, reproductive and child health services, including HIV/AIDS. The USAID/Liberia program will continue to implement activities that improve the food security and health status of the Liberian people. USAID, in cooperation with the international donor community, will provide assistance to prepare for viable 2003 presidential and general elections. USAID activities in FY 2002 are funded with resources from the Development Assistance Account, P.L. 480 Title II, and the Child Survival and Health Fund.
In FY 2003, USAID plans to refocus its agricultural activities on key issues affecting rural economic growth. The program will work within the current political and economic transitional context now facing Liberia, but will attempt to start addressing the long-term developmental issues confronting the nation. If approved, the Rural Economic Growth program will replace the current agricultural program beginning in FY 2004. Health activities will continue, with greater focus on community capacity building. In addition, USAID intends to take the lead in strengthening health sector NGOs enabling them to engage the government in a dialogue on key health sector policy issues affecting the population. USAID will also continue its assistance in civic education and human rights. Activities in FY 2003 will be supported with resources from the Development Assistance fund and P.L. 480 Title II.
ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR WHICH NO NEW FY 2002 OR FY 2003 FUNDING IS REQUESTED: The USAID program in Liberia under the previous strategy has residual activities that are ongoing and require no new FY 2002 funding.
Number: Title: Last Notified: Planned Completion: 669-001: Successful Democratic Transition, Including Free and Fair Elections. CBJ, FY 2001 pp. 264-269 FY 2001 669-002: Successful Transition from Relief to Recovery Through a Community Reintegration Program. CBJ, FY 2001 pp. 268-271 FY 2001 OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: The USAID/Liberia mission has been enhanced with funding from the Leahy War Victims Fund and the Displaced Children and Orphans Fund. The Leahy War Victims Fund has been used to provide corrective surgical services as well as prostheses and physiotherapy for the disabled. Physiotherapy for children affected by polio and other mobility disorders is also being provided. The Displaced Children and Orphans Fund supports activities that promote social and economic reintegration of war-affected youth through their participation in vocational and literacy education, child's rights advocacy, youth networking and HIV/AIDS education and awareness activities at the community level.
The European Union is Liberia's largest donor, followed by the United States, which provides one third of the total assistance to Liberia. OTHER DONORS: The deteriorating political situation coupled with the GOL's involvement in the Sierra Leone conflict has resulted in increasing alienation from the international community. United Nations sanctions against members of the current Government remain in force. This has manifested itself in a significant decrease of donor engagement in the country. The European Union (EU) remains Liberia's largest donor, followed by the United States. Coordination with the EU has been exceptionally close and can be seen with the geographic coverage of development programs. For the most part, the EU has provided coverage in southern and eastern Liberia, with USAID covering the northern counties (with the exception of Lofa County for security reasons). Taiwan has also provided significant assistance towards the country's reconstruction program. Other major bilateral and multilateral donors include Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Nations. Neither the World Bank nor the International Monetary Fund is active in Liberia. Donor activities include assistance to improve food security, democracy and governance, income generation, and basic health care.
Program Data Sheets
- 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
Country Background Information Resources
CIA Factbook
National Geographic Country Maps
State Dept. Country Information
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
