Silver Spring, Maryland—As war-weary, displaced Liberians journey back into their homeland, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is supporting their efforts to restart their lives. Through an extensive initiative called the Household Food Security Recovery project, ADRA is improving food availability in 3,300 returning farming households (approximately 17,100 individuals) in Lofa County, Liberia. The one-year project is slated for completion in August 2007.

The peace and improved security that followed Liberia's democratic elections in fall 2005 have led a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and former refugees to return to the towns and villages they had fled during the nation's brutal civil war. However, many Liberians are returning to war-devastated homes and are without basic necessities such as health care, education, clean drinking water, or sufficient food supplies.

ADRA's initiative assists IDPs and refugees currently living in the war-ravaged Kolahun and Foya districts in Lofa County. Many of the returnees and resident small-scale farmers, who have no assets and limited access to quality farm tools, seeds, and other agricultural materials, are facing difficulties in re-establishing their livelihoods and food sources.

"Agricultural production is a vital part of the rehabilitation and redevelopment phases in post-conflict Liberia," says Cooper Mykers, country director for ADRA Liberia. "Even though the civil conflict largely destroyed the agriculture sector, the country still possesses a huge potential for agriculture because of it vast and largely untapped fertile land. This project will support returnees in the process of resettling, helping them build the skills necessary to regain their self-reliance and unify their communities."

The project began in August 2006 and has worked with 18 communities to establish and train 60 local farmers' groups, composed of 50 families each, in basic agricultural methods. In order to begin replenishing community food resources, beneficiaries have also received necessary farming equipment, seeds, and planting materials.

In an effort to replenish valuable livestock lost during the war, the project has established and trained 20 women's groups, with 15 members each, in livestock breeding and restocking. Each group received an initial stock of 10 chickens, 10 ducks, five sheep, and five goats, along with a basic veterinary kit.

By project's completion, the 3,300 beneficiary families should be able to produce at least 50 percent of their household food and at least 80 percent of families will have increased the number of meals eaten per day from one to two.

"Over the last 16 years, ADRA has kept its commitment to help vulnerable people in Liberia find lasting solutions to problems created by civil conflict," continues Mykers. "With the restoration of durable peace to Liberia, ADRA will pursue sustainable community development activities within the framework of the Liberian government's policies that will respond to and meet the most essential and basic needs of the country."

The project, valued at an estimated $680,000, is funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) through a collaboration between ADRA Denmark and ADRA Liberia.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.

-END-

Media Contact: Nadia McGill ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.5145 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org