Liberia

Rising from the ashes of civil war, youthful Liberia looks to the future with Africa's first female president and a commitment to government reform.

Photo: Cassandra Nelson/Mercy Corps

The best way to deal with HIV/AIDS is never to get it. That’s why Mercy Corps, in partnership with USAID and Nike, supports innovative sports programmes that help make young people (who represent 40 percent of all new infections) less vulnerable to the deadly disease. These girls playing football in Liberia learned positive skills and behaviours for health, teamwork, leadership and responsible decisions — while having fun playing the world’s most popular game. Mercy Corps also has organised sports programmes for HIV/AIDS education in Guatemala and Sudan.

One Table: Women take the lead ›

Topics: Women's Empowerment, Peaceful Change, Civil Society, Citizen Involvement

It’s not just the UN or farmers or the government improving food security in Liberia. Some of the most creative and effective efforts are by local women’s organisations.

Clean Water and a Fresh Start ›

Topics: Water/Sanitation, Peaceful Change

Mercy Corps' work to install new drinking-water sources is setting the stage for Liberia's growth and contributing to national reconciliation, sometimes in surprising ways.

Victoria: Raising Awareness, Reducing Risk ›

Topics: HIV/AIDS

Football is helping Liberian youth like Victoria Nayou learn how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS.

Score One for AIDS Awareness ›

Topics: Sports, HIV/AIDS

As legions of football fans around the globe anticipated the opening whistle of the 2006 World Cup, Liberian youth such as Victoria were stepping onto the football pitch to learn about HIV/AIDS.

The Power of Water ›

Topics: Water/Sanitation

Waterborne diseases are among the leading child killers in Liberia. Access to clean drinking water is vital for progress in the war-torn West African nation.

Narrowing Education's Gender Gap ›

Topics: Women's Empowerment

New schools in Liberia are giving new hope to young people — particularly girls — who've missed out on education because of war and poverty.

Spreading the Word ›

Topics: HIV/AIDS

A war-ravaged economy. A healthcare system in shambles. Sky-high illiteracy rates. Few would think of Liberia as the ideal place to start an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. Jessica Quarles thinks it's perfect.

In War's Aftermath, a New Model of Progress ›

Topics: Economic Development, Governance

As Liberia tries to restore the democratic principles of accountability and transparency in upcoming elections, some villages are learning how effective self-governance - along with a helping hand from Mercy Corps - can be.

Liberia Listens as Election Nears ›

Topics: Peaceful Change

On the eve of a historic vote, radio is helping inform more Liberians than ever. Mercy Corps has helped launch 18 community-run stations since late 2003, reaching half a million people outside the capital city of Monrovia.

Hope is On the Horizon ›

Topics: Peaceful Change

Freed American slaves founded Liberia to gain political freedom. Today their descendants wish only for a country that is not plagued by bloodshed and political instability.

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Liberia Facts

Population: 3.3 million
Size: 102nd largest country
Human Development Index rank: 176 (out of 179)
Mercy Corps has worked here since 2002
Our primary work: teaching better agricultural techniques, restarting cocoa farming
Year founded and by whom: 1847 by freed American slaves
Kilometers of coastline: 579
President: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's only female head of state

Program Details

Mercy Corps is bolstering civic organizations and empowering communities to take part in Liberia's improving social, economic and political environment.

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