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DFID
c/o British High Commission, Spur Road,Freetown, Sierra Leone
Tel:00 232 22 233 620 | Fax:00 232 22 235 769
Email:
bhc@sierratel.sl
Map courtesy of the FCO
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Liberia
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
low levels of malnutrition, increasing access to basic health services, improved
levels of food security and real progress on the return and reintegration of
refugees and Internally Displaced Persons. However, almost all basic services
remain dependent on international humanitarian support.
Summary of Economic and Political situation
In November 2005 the first African female head of state, President Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf was elected. Liberia is now at its most stable in many years
although enormous challenges remain. Liberia is relatively rich in resources
such as timber, gold, diamonds, and iron ore, and also has extensive rubber plantations.
In the past, the economy flourished on the basis of these but by 1996, real GDP
(Gross Domestic Product) was as low as 10% of its pre-war level. The
Government now faces the challenge of ensuring the future sustainable and
equitable use of these resources to rebuild Liberia’s economy. This challenge is
made harder by the corruption which developed during the civil war and the
history of poor public financial management. The international community have
agreed a Governance and Economic Management Assistance Programme (GEMAP) with
the Government to tackle these issues.
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DFID in Liberia
DFID has provided over £16 million of humanitarian assistance and £6 million
towards the Demobilisation, Disarmament, Repatriation and Reintegration (DDRR)
process since August 2003. DFID is also providing support for governance and
economic management reform. DFID’s budget was increased to £10 million per annum
in July 2006. Current plans include £3.5 million humanitarian support, £3 million for
reintegration and conflict prevention, £1 million for governance and anti-corruption
work, and £2.5 million towards health and water/sanitation in 2006.
Humanitarian needs are still critical in this transition period. This year
will also be critical in establishing the prospects for stability and peace and
the will of the new government
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Liberia and the Millennium Development Goals
• There has been some improvement in access to education over the past few
years. The net enrolment ratio in primary education increased from 32% to 34.7%
in 2004. The challenges that remain include lack of staff and teaching materials and the
overall dilapidation of school buildings following the civil war.
• The under five mortality rate has declined from 220 per 1000 births in 1986 to
194 per 1000 in 2000. The target for 2015 is unlikely to be reached because the
general support environment is weak, but that situation can be greatly enhanced
by improved basic medical facilities.
• The HIV infection rate has almost doubled from 4.2% in 1994 to 8.2% in 2001
and the expected prevalence in 2004 was 10 to 12%. The number of children orphaned
as a result of HIV/AIDS has increased from 1500 in 1997 to 2100 in 2002. It is
unlikely, given the present weak supportive environment, that the spread of HIV/AIDS
can be halted or reversed by 2015.
The Government and its development partners are making concerted efforts to
reduce poverty through various programmes but there are huge challenges ahead. A
key issue is how to manage the transition from humanitarian to developmental
assistance without increasing risk of food and health insecurity. There is an
urgent need for sectoral leadership and planning by the new Government.
Salaries, supplies and training are key areas requiring planning, reform and
commitment.
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Links
Last updated: 8 November 2006
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Directgov |
World
Bank - Liberia
