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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