Concern Assists 150,000 Liberians to rebuild their lives
Source: Concern Worldwide - Ireland
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Listen to audio interview with Concern's Marianne Byrne in Liberia which is struggling to cope after 14 years of war."There is no general electricity in the country, no running
water, there is no sewage system, no postal system, no public transport. This country has been absolutely devastated. It needs every bit of support in every sector. There's nothing that doesn't need
to be done." This is the verdict of Concern Liberia country director Marianne Byrne who has observed the country attempting to build a new future following 14 years of crippling civil war.Recently elected President Johnson-Sirleaf has brought new hope to the country but her government have little or no resources to mend the country's ruined infrastructure or provide services to the
people. Half of all Liberians live on less the 50 cents per day.Up until 2004 a quarter of Liberia's population lived in crowded displacement camps which they had fled to for security. The
arrival of Johnson-Sirleaf has coincided with a sustained period of peace. With the arrest and extradition of former warlord President Charles Taylor, Liberians are now hopeful of a war-free future.
This has seen them vacate the displacement camps en masse.Concern is helping tens of thousands to re-start their lives in Lofa County which was undoubtedly the most devastated and depopulated
county during Liberia's civil war. The people of Lofa are returning to ransacked and overgrown villages and fields which have lain fallow for years. They are starting from scratch after years of war
and displacement.Last year Concern distributed essential items such as cooking kits, blankets, mats, lanterns, clothing materials, shelters and water and sanitation facilities to 150,000
people trying to return home to the villages of Lofa County. Concern also rehabilitated water and sanitation facilities in the villages so as people could have access to clean water when they
returned.As Liberia becomes more secure, Concern is moving from emergency to development. Concern is now trying to help the same people become self sufficient by providing them with seeds and
farming tools so as they can plant their fields. Concern are also rebuilding bridges in rural areas so as to allow farmers to get their produce to market and in doing so, stimulate local economies.
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