Liberia
Years of fighting, coupled with the flight of most businesses, have disrupted formal economic activity. A still unsettled domestic security situation has slowed the process of rebuilding the social and economic structure of this war-torn country. A new president was elected in 1997 after an eight-year-long civil war. He was never able to fully eliminate rebel groups that sought to oust him by force. Rebel attacks on Monrovia, coupled with two years of UN-imposed sanctions, finally prompted the president’s abdication from power in August 2003. A transitional government - composed of rebel, government, and civil society groups - assumed control in October 2003. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought a new president to power.

Population: 3, 390,635 (July 2004)

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Muslim 20%

Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages, of which a few can be written and are used in correspondence

Economy: Civil war and misgovernment have destroyed much of Liberia’s economy, especially the infrastructure in and around Monrovia. Many businessmen have fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them. Some have returned, many will not. Richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture, Liberia had been a producer and exporter of basic products - primarily raw timber and rubber. Local manufacturing, mainly foreign owned, had been small in scope. The restoration of infrastructure and the raising of incomes in this ravaged economy depend on the implementation of sound macro- and micro-economic policies, including the encouragement of foreign investment, and generous support from donor countries.

Currency: Liberian dollar (LRD)

HIV/AIDS: Adult prevalence rate: 9% (2001 est.)
People living with HIV/AIDS: 125,000 (2001 est.)
Deaths: 5,000 (2001 est.)

Karen—the first resident

Rafiki in Liberia
A Rafiki Village is fully operational in Liberia.

ROS in Liberia
Donna and Ed Bland
Joanne Colvin
Melissa Wiedemann