Aid project in Liberia: New means of existence for the people of south-east Liberia

Old woman in Liberia. © Frank/WHHCreating a new economic basis for the people - that is Welthungerhilfe's aim in the south-east of Liberia. There has been over-exploitation of tropical timber resources in the Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Sinoe districts for years. Economic activity has stagnated for a long time now. On top of this is the devastation which the war in 2002 and 2003 left in its wake in the region. The people are almost entirely left to fend for themselves.

 

Reconstruction of the
shattered infrastructure.
© Decker-Horz/WHHReintegration and reconstruction

Welthungerhilfe is now helping the people of south-east Liberia to get back on their feet with a reintegration and reconstruction programme. The reconstruction of the shattered infrastructure is one of the main focuses of the programme. The transport network is incomplete throughout the region, particularly in rural areas. Only very few roads are passable throughout the year. Many bridges are damaged or totally unusable. With Welthungerhilfe's help, roads and bridges are now being renewed and the transport network extended. New wells are being created where people can get clean drinking water.  

Peasant woman harvesting
wet rice. © Frank/WHHSupport for agriculture

Welthungerhilfe is also supporting small-scale farming. The aim is to produce enough to be able to sell a part of the harvest at market. But a lot still needs to be to done to achieve this: agriculture faces a lack of tools, seeds and manpower. Welthungerhilfe is building up the farmers' flocks of small livestock, and is supporting agricultural training in, for instance, agro-forestry techniques.  

   


Woman plastering the walls
of a new house.
© Frank/WHH
Improving the quality of school tuition

Another focus of Welthungerhilfe's activities is in the area of education. Initially, with Welthungerhilfe's support, new schools are being built and equipped with school furniture. New teaching materials are being produced. The teachers can go on training courses so they are able to significantly improve the quality of the teaching. 

   

Preventing violence against women

The reintegration and reconstruction programme also includes a gender-specific component: during the civil war in Liberia, rape was systematically used as a weapon of war. The war is over, but there is no end to the violence against women. 70 percent of the female population in the project area are affected by gender-specific violence. The Cologne-based aid agency, medica mondiale, is sub-contracted by Welthungerhilfe to work on behalf of these women and girls. The aim of the medical and psychological care it provides is to improve the women's life circumstances, and to implement preventive measures to stop violence against women.