Crisis in Liberia
The people of Liberia have suffered greatly over the past decade. Civil war has led to the deaths of an estimated 200,000 or more people, mostly innocent civilians. This conflict has left many Liberians without food and water, vulnerable to disease, and in great need of assistance.
The U.S. Government has stepped forward to help. We have contributed to date $35.5 million in humanitarian assistance to meet the emergency needs of Liberians.
In response to the current crisis, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) has provided $22.5 million to save lives and alleviate suffering in Liberia. The U.S. Government is responding to proposals by nongovernmental organizations and to the activities identified by the United Nations (UN) as most urgent and appropriate. The United States leads the way internationally in responding to this crisis, contributing nearly one-third of the total amount requested by the UN.
On August 15, USAID/OFDA airlifted 26,470 kg of relief
commodities to Monrovia in support of emergency water,
shelter, and health needs. The commodities include 300
rolls of plastic sheeting, 5,000 wool blankets, 5,000 10-
liter jerry cans, and five 3,000-gallon water bladders. The
relief items will benefit approximately 15,000 people. In
addition, the airlift included a WHO emergency health kit
that includes basic medical essentials for 30,000 people
for one month. The total value of the commodities,
including transport, is $221,880. In FY 2003 to date, USAID has provided more
than $2.7 million to support humanitarian needs in
Liberia.
The USAID mission in Monrovia, which remained open throughout the crisis, administers a $6 million development program to improve the quality of health, agriculture and civil society in Liberia.
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