Country facts

  • Population: 4,195,666
  • Number of refugees: 22,272
  • Rank in Human Development Index: 177 of 188

IRC response

  • Started work in Liberia: 1996

Crisis briefing

The IRC has been working in Liberia since 1996, initially helping hundreds of thousands of Liberian families rebuild after a devastating civil war, as well as protecting refugees who fled violence in nearby Ivory Coast. When an outbreak of Ebola erupted in Liberia in March 2014, the IRC was at the forefront of the fight to stop the spread of the deadly virus. Today we are providing ongoing support as Liberians recover from this crisis.

What caused the current crisis in Liberia?

In 2003, Liberia’s 14-year civil war came to an end after claiming the lives of more than 250,000 Liberians. The conflict destroyed or significantly disrupted the country’s infrastructure, health services and education systems.

More than a decade into post-conflict recovery, Liberia was again plunged into crisis by an Ebola outbreak in March 2014. Ebola overwhelmed the country’s fragile health system and took the lives of nearly 5,000 people.

Today, the country is continuing to recover from the long conflict and recent Ebola outbreak as it works to stabilise and strengthen communities and basic services.

What are the main humanitarian challenges in Liberia?

Liberia was on the road to recovery and stability following its civil war, until the Ebola crisis struck, The country is in “post-Ebola” recovery, but a devastated health system, uneven economy and systemic corruption leave it vulnerable to other outbreaks and catastrophes.

How does the IRC help in Liberia?

The IRC works to improve health care nationwide and protect and empower women and youth. In partnership with the government and local communities, we work in eight counties -- Lofa, Nimba, Maryland, River Gee, Bong, Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Margibi -- to rebuild lives and promote cooperation.

As Liberia recovers from 14 years of conflict and an Ebola outbreak, the IRC continues to help by:

  • providing emergency relief
  • supporting clinics and hospitals
  • training health care workers specifically to address the needs of underserved populations
  • linking at-risk girls with employment opportunities as well as life-skills and entrepreneurship training
  • educating families about positive parenting techniques to reduce violence in the home and encourage healthy child development

 

What still needs to be done?

Download the IRC's Liberia strategy action plan to learn more about our programme priorities until 2020.

Our impact

In 2015, the IRC and our partner organizations in Liberia provided:

377,000

After the Ebola outbreak, we helped to reopen the only free general hospital in the capital city of Monrovia.

people with access to primary and reproductive health services.

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24,000

We’re working with local communities to improve the safety of women and girls.

men, women and children with gender-based violence prevention efforts in their communities.

How we're empowering women

1,200

We’re teaching positive parenting techniques to reduce violence in the home and encourage healthy child development.

families with parental support

Explore our safety work