A new start for Liberia after the end of the civil war in 2003

Seven years after the end of the civil war that lasted from 1989 to 2003, living conditions are still difficult for the people of Liberia. The infrastructure has largely been destroyed, health and education systems are inadequate, and the food supply is not secure in some places. The district of Foya in Lofa County was one of the areas worst hit by the war. On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), GTZ is helping the population by providing development-oriented emergency and transitional aid to rebuild agriculture and to re-establish the basis for peaceful co-existence in the communities.

Rice, cocoa and plantains (cooking bananas) are being grown again

Rice is the region’s staple food. The rehabilitation of rice paddy fields is thus one of the project’s priority areas. Up until 2011, GTZ is helping 6,000 families to start producing rice once more on 3,000 hectares of land. A new rice seed laboratory with a storage depot provides rice growers with seed. Another 2,000 families in Foya are farming 2,000 hectares of rehabilitated cocoa plantations and 50 hectares of plantain fields, growing crops for their own use and to sell.

Dams and irrigation systems promote cultivation

In 2010, GTZ promoted the construction of six dams and small irrigation systems. These are primarily used to irrigate the rice fields during the dry season (November to April). Ninety inhabitants were able to earn additional income during the four-month building period. Roads and bridges to allow farmers to transport their products to local markets are to be rebuilt in 2011.

Microcredits help women and young people

A microcredit programme is being used to support small-scale business activities, mostly operated by women and young people. The loans are used for example to promote small-scale trading, crafts and skills, and agricultural production. As a result of the programme, four thousand people are now able to earn a living, and a total of 1,500 women attend courses to learn literacy and arithmetic skills.

Playing football for social reconstruction

Promoting social cohesion in the communities is another priority area of GTZ’s work. This includes support for self-help projects and information events on civil rights, HIV/AIDS prevention and the setting up of youth clubs. Seventy-five youth clubs are already up and running. One of the main ways for young people to learn basic democratic rules and how to assert their rights and resolve conflicts without resorting to violence is to enjoy sport together, such as playing football. The project has reached 3,500 young people so far. Conflict prevention is a key topic in all communities. With support from GTZ and a local non-governmental organisation, peace committees have been set up and mediators trained in 45 communities.

The project at a glance

Project: Restoring the livelihoods of poor rural households and improving food security in the district of Foya (Supporting reconstruction in Liberia)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU)
Duration: November 2009 to October 2011
Order volume: EUR 4.7 million