COUNTRY:  LIBERIA

STATISTICS:

Population:                        3.3 million

Infant mortality rate:          130.51 deaths/

                                          1000 births

Life expectancy:                47.9 years

Literacy (15 years

and above):                        57.5%

GDP per capita:                 Approx. $188

     The word Liberia means “land of the free." The country was founded in 1820 by freed slaves from the United States. Liberia's history was largely peaceful until the 1980's.  Since the '80's human rights abuses, fraud, corruption and ethnic tensions in the country have increased due to political unrest.

    In 1989, Charles Taylor invaded Liberia from the Ivory Coast.  The invasion marked the beginning of an 8-year civil war, which turned out to be one of Africa's bloodiest ever.  More than 200,000 Liberians were killed and a million more were displaced to refugee camps in neighboring countries.

     Fears of continuing war gave Charles Taylor an election victory in 1997.

Unfortunately, he did nothing to improve the lives of his citizens.  Many businesses were destroyed and businessmen fled the country, leaving Liberia with an unemployment rate of 85%. 

     Six years after the war, Liberia still didn't have appropriate water and electricity in many areas of the country.  Vital infrastructure was not in place for the people to thrive. 

     Chairman Gyude Bryant currently heads the Republic of Liberia.  Bryant's leadership is a transitional government that will end in 2005 after the winners of the presidential and congresssional elections are chosen.            

     Liberia has 40% of West Africa's rain forest, and its natural resources include iron ore, rubber, timber, diamonds, gold and tin. The government recently reported discoveries of crude oil deposits along the coast.  The country has widespread deforestation and water pollution issues. 

      HIV/AIDS education is desperately needed in Liberia.   Unfortunately, more than 10% of the adult population had been diagnosed by 2002.

    Read about WER partner in Liberia!