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Country Program Materials
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USAID/Liberia Links
USAID/Liberia
Mission
Mission Director:
Local Address:
- P.O. Box 10-1445
1000 Monrovia 10
Monrovia
Liberia
Tel: 231-226-370, 147, 011, 371, 372, 373
Fax: 231-226-152
From the US:
- DOS/USAID
8800 Monrovia Place
Washington, D.C.
20521-8800
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USAID's Strategy in Liberia Liberia is widely seen as one of Africa's preeminent "failed
states" in which the central government has ceased to
provide essential security and services. In the absence of
state authority, territory is, in effect, ceded to contending
militia groups that operate lawlessly and with impunity for
crimes against civilians. In addition, conflict re-erupted
in mid-2000 following cross-border incursions by the insurgent
group Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD).
Tens of thousands of combat-related fatalities have occurred.
The Liberia conflict is interwoven with violence in neighboring
Sierra Leone, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire. Much of the blame
lies with the Charles Taylor-led government, which has been
in power since he won the presidential election in 1997 following
over a decade of civil war. President Taylor is the major
force in Liberian politics, and his policies remain a major
obstacle to internal and regional stability and the development
of a democratic Liberia. Under Taylor, the GOL has done little
to improve the lives of the Liberian people. The current government's policies on human rights and fostering
regional instability have prevented the international community
from providing the support that Liberia desperately needs
to adequately address the growing humanitarian crisis and
to overcome its serious social and economic problems. The humanitarian consequences have been severe. According
to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
there are about 158,000 refugees from Liberia and about 130,000
internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps within
Liberia. This crisis is occurring in one of the poorest countries
on earth, with 80 percent of Liberia's approximately three
million people living in poverty. The USAID program supports U.S. national interests through
reducing human suffering and promoting regional stability.
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