Introduction to Liberia and CARE Liberia ANNEX 1 Introduction to Liberia and CARE Liberia

BACKGROUND OF LIBERIA Situated on the west coast of Africa with an area of 43,000 square miles; coastal area of 350 miles; bordering Liberia are Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north, Ivory Coast on the east and the Atlantic ocean on the south

BACKGROUND OF LIBERIA Founded in 1822 by repatriated slaves from America Coup d’etat of Samuel Doe: 1980 Civil war from 1989 to 2003 15 political sub divisions - Counties headed by superintendents 16 local languages/tribes. Population - 3.5 million (51% of women)

Human Development Report 2009 Liberia’s human development index 2007 Ranks 169 on HDI 2007 (higher than Guinea, Burkina, Mali, Sierra Leone and Niger) Life expectancy at birth =57.9 years Adult literacy rate (15yrs and above) is 55.5% Combined gross enrolment ratio is 57.6% GDP per capita is US$362 Access to clean water = 64% Children underweight for age (<5yrs) is 26%

BACKGROUND OF CARE LIBERIA CARE Liberia began operations in September 2008 Launched Food and Income security Program in February 2009. The Program involves a long term commitment to specific marginalized and vulnerable groups to achieve lasting impact on a broad scale to address underlying causes of poverty and social injustice.

BACKGROUND OF CARE LIBERIA CO portfolio is $4M; Grant from Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the European Commission. 35 staff (20% female) in two offices (Monrovia and Gbarnga). Key ministries that CARE Liberia collaborate with are MOA and MPW We work with four local partners and one Government partner (CARI) through sub granting

Pillar of PRS (2008 – 2011) Pillar I: Security Pillar II: Economic Revitalization Pillar III: Governance and Rule of Law Pillar IV: Infrastructure and Basic Services

Formulation of CARE Liberia Food and Income Security Program Meetings with CARE staffs, partners including government counterpart Reflection on what Liberia looked like years back Poverty analysis What should look like

Underlying Causes of Poverty   Social Positions Human Conditions Enabling Environment Intermediate Barter system Loss of people/orphans Broken down institutions (management, governance and physical) Lack of social support systems Loss of assets/lack of access to assets Lack of technology systems Lack of services and lack of access to services Lack of infrastructure - roads, electricity Lack of awareness and capacity Unemployment Lack of market systems Lack of markets Underlying Cultural norms and expectations Conflict Discrimination Poor Governance Gender inequality Corruption Social Norms Break down of social tissue Mismanagement of natural resources - mining industry Hatred, fear, mistrust, low self esteem

We live in a country where there is: OUR DREAMS We live in a country where there is: Free education for all; Food security Health for all Easy access by roads and transport Majority of the population employed Justice Transparency, accountability & good governance Zero corruption Gender equity, respect for one another, tolerance, trust and peace.

Threats to our dream Climate change Corruption War and insecurity that relates to potential for political tension during elections or a coup d’etat or tension in neighboring countries. Poor quality education Disease (HIV/AIDS, cholera, flu strains)

Huge donor interest (USAID, EC, UNs, WB, AfDB, etc.) Opportunities Huge donor interest (USAID, EC, UNs, WB, AfDB, etc.) Growing democratic system - Female leadership! Abundant Natural Resources (rubber, timber, minerals, water, fisheries, crude oil, rainfall etc.) Remittances - Diaspora ($65M, skills, investments)

THANKS!