United Nations seeks $70 million to meet humanitarian needs in Liberia
Press Release
IHA/645
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.