UNITED NATIONS SEEKS $70 MILLION TO MEET HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN LIBERIA
Press Release
IHA/645
UNITED NATIONS SEEKS $70 MILLION TO MEET HUMANITARIAN NEEDS IN LIBERIA
19980211 NEW YORK, 11 February (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -- The United Nations today appealed for $70 million to meet humanitarian needs in Liberia, as the country recovers from the effects of a seven-year conflict, one that claimed an estimated 150,000 lives and displaced more than half the pre-war population of 2.3 million people.Despite the considerable progress that has been achieved in normalizing the political and security situation in Liberia, more than 1.4 million people remain seriously affected by the conflict. This figure comprises internally displaced people, refugees, ex-combatants, child soldiers and other vulnerable groups. The United Nations consolidated inter-agency appeal aims at providing support for resettlement and reintegration of these groups. In so doing, it will help forward the delicate process of national reconciliation and recovery.
The overall improvement in the security situation, following general and presidential elections on 19 July 1997, coupled with efforts by the new Government and the humanitarian community to promote the resettlement of the displaced, is beginning to bear fruit. Moreover, the vast majority of Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries, estimated at close to half a million people, are expected to choose repatriation over the next 18 months. The appeal is designed to promote the consolidation of peace and assist victims of the conflict in moving from dependency on relief assistance to increasing levels of self-sufficiency.
The appeal, therefore, also covers efforts to revitalize the agricultural economy, re-establish basic health and education services, and restore sustainable rural community life. Projects to assist resettlement and reintegration are based on a non-targeted, community-based strategy. In this way, humanitarian assistance will reach child soldiers and other war-affected youth, the elderly, the handicapped, female-headed households and children under five years, as well as populations in areas that are difficult to access.
The international community is called upon to respond generously to these initiatives.
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