Programs Five-Country Focus Liberian Refugees Return Home After 14 Years of Civil War
Background
Following 14 years of civil conflict that left much of the country in ruins and uprooted some 86 percent of the population, Liberia is now at peace. Africa’s first democratically elected female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, took office in 2006. And the majority of those displaced to neighboring Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana and the Ivory Coast have returned home, as have those who were internally displaced within Liberia. At present, some 11,000 UN peacekeepers assist the Liberian police in maintaining security in the country while a new national army is being recruited and trained.
The economy was completely devastated by the war, the illiteracy rate remains extremely high and unemployment in the formal sector (“regular” jobs, with regular pay that is taxed and counts toward the gross national product) is estimated to be 80 percent. Most people, however, work in the informal sector (in “under the table” jobs that are not regulated or taxed). Agriculture is crippled by land disputes and gross underproduction. The food staple, rice, is largely imported and 75 percent of the population lives on less than $1 per day—the global indicator of extreme poverty.
The Women's Refugee Commission in Liberia
The Women's Refugee Commission has sent several assessment delegations to Liberia since 2004. We have focused on education and livelihoods for internally displaced and, recently, returning Liberians. In earlier delegations we also looked at the situation for refugees from Sierra Leone. Highlights of our work in Liberia:
Future Plans
How You Can Take Action
One of our priorities is to advocate for the needs of young people.
Help raise awareness and resources for displaced and returnee youth in Liberia and around the world.
Reports
Last updated June 2009
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