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The IRC in Liberia

A doctor assists Ivorian refugees at a clinic along the Liberian-Ivorian border
Photo: Peter Biro/The IRC

Liberians are cautiously beginning to rebuild their country after a devastating 15-year civil war left 250,000 dead and destroyed infrastructure and basic services. In addition to helping hundreds of thousands of displaced Liberian families, the International Rescue Committee also protected refugees fleeing violence in nearby Ivory Coast and continues to provide them with health care, education, job training and other important resources as their country treads the difficult road to peace.

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Inside our work in Liberia

  • Children play on a dirty beach; the IRC helps improve health and sanitation
  • A mother bathes her child as part of health care, child protection programs
  • A health worker examines a child at a clinic; the IRC gives training, supplies
  • Children sit in school; the IRC supports teachers, provides educational material
  • A woman stands outside; the IRC supports survivors of sexual assualt, abuse
  • A woman stands near the auto shop where she works as a mechanic
  • A woman farms her land; the IRC helps farmers grow more to eat and sell
  • A boy waits to receive an immunization, part of IRC emergency response
Launch Slideshow

Years of civil war and unrest have left Liberia in a state of disrepair, but the IRC has been there to help Liberians restore education, health care and safety.

More Slideshows ›

How We Help

  • The IRC supports 33 health care facilities and five hospitals and operates the largest pediatric facility in the capital city, Monrovia.
  • The IRC trains local health workers and conducts health outreach.
  • The IRC’s social workers provide counseling to survivors of sexual violence, abuse and abandonment and work with local action groups to promote fair treatment of women. 
  • The IRC links at-risk girls with employment opportunities and entrepreneurship training.
  • Through a five-year initiative, the IRC educates over 16,000 children and youth.
February 11, 2013 | Blog
Tonight: Half the Sky airs again on PBS
Tune in tonight for the rebroadcast of Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn on PBS. Part 1 features the IRC's work in Sierra Leone to protect and empower survivors of sexual violence.
August 21, 2012 | Blog
The most common violence
August 16, 2012 | Blog
Why the IRC launched the Domestic Violence Think-In
August 9, 2012 | Blog
"I want to learn": Refugees in crisis are desperate for education [Video]
May 24, 2012 | Blog
Susan Dentzer on domestic violence in West Africa
May 22, 2012 | Blog
A voice from West Africa
May 22, 2012 | Blog
The riskiest place for a woman
May 22, 2012 | Press Release
Domestic violence primary threat to women in post-war West Africa

See more stories about the IRC's work in Liberia

Research

File Downloads

JE NE VEUX PAS MOURIR AVONT MON HEURE: LA Violence Domestique en Afrique de L'Ouest
Côte d’Ivoire - Libéria : Des centaines de milliers de personnes en péril pour les mois à venir sans une action internationale urgente, avertissent les organisations d’aide humanitaire - 14 Avril 2011
Ivory Coast / Liberia: Hundreds of thousands will be at risk for months without urgent humanitarian international effort, warn aid agencies - Press Release 14 Apr 2011

See all IRC resources about Liberia

Selected Web Resources

Our Bodies - Their Battle Ground: Gender-based Violence in Conflict Zones

See more web resources about Liberia

In The Media

Why the IRC Launched the Domestic Violence Think-In
August 16, 2012 | Forbes.com
Why the IRC Launched the Domestic Violence Think-In
Domestic Violence is Biggest Threat to West Africa's Women
May 22, 2012 | The Guardian
Domestic Violence is Biggest Threat to West Africa's Women
The Word on Women - End of war doesn’t spell peace for women in West Africa
May 22, 2012 | TrustLaw - Blogs
The Word on Women - End of war doesn’t spell peace for women in West Africa

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