Women and children under mosquito bed nets -Liberia. © Giacomo Pirozzi (Panos)
Liberia suffered 14 years of civil war from 1989 - a period of intense economic and social disruption. The proportion of people living on less than US$1 a day increased from 55.1% in 1997 to 76.2% in 2001. Extreme poverty has increased from 14% in 1997 to 52% in 2001, with more than 1.4 million people living on less than US$0.50 per day.
Since the end of the war, there has been some progress. At present there are improved levels of food security and low levels of malnutrition, while access to basic health services is increasing and real progress is being made on the return and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, almost all basic services remain dependent on international humanitarian support.
DFID is not a major player in Liberia, although in recent years we have helped the country to recover from the effects of conflict. Between 2003 and 2006, we have given £19 million of humanitarian aid, enabling minimum levels of basic healthcare, water and sanitation for vulnerable communities.
Total UK aid received (2008/09): £17m (Source: Statistics for International Development 2009)