Liberia

Liberia faces a tremendous range of problems. While the country has a wealth of natural resources from diamonds to natural rubber, more than 50% of the population lives in poverty. The country has also been plagued by instability, with bloody civil wars roiling the country from 1989 until 1997, and again from 1999 to 2003, costing hundreds of thousands of lives.

Yet other problems like poor infrastructure, and lack of educational resources and opportunity may take an even higher toll on Liberians, preventing them from building a more stable, prosperous society. As an international disaster relief and development charity, Humanity First USA has helped address both sides of Liberian struggle, from providing war relief to training Liberians in vital skills to help the country grow. Here’s how we’ve helped Liberians, from overcoming the trauma of war to building a more stable, successful future.

Liberia Civil War Relief

In the wake of the Second Liberian Civil War, the country was traumatized. Starvation, displacement and the sheer violence of the war took an incredible toll on the survivors, including many former child soldiers forced to fight in the brutal conflict. Humanity First USA worked tirelessly to provide food, clothing and equipment to Liberians struggling to recover from the war. Our donations included 10,000 pounds of clothing, 44,000 pounds of rice and the donation of many tools like generators and chainsaws to help with reconstruction.

But post-war aid was only the start of a process. We knew if the Liberian people were to overcome the damage caused by war, they would need professional skills that were in short supply in the war-torn country.

Vocational Training

In the wake of the war, Humanity First USA began an ambitious job training program in Liberia. In 2010, we started the Humanity First Ahmadiyya Vocational College (HFAVC), offering vocational training with well-equipped labs in a range of trades, taught by highly qualified instructors. We’ve continued to improve the college and add new programs year after year, and now provide complete training in ten different trades.

We’ve also assisted Humanity First Liberia with funding and support for their important and worthwhile work on behalf of the Liberian community. Our donors helped them open a cassava processing plant in 2009. Located in the town of Lyean in Bomi county, the plant earned praise from Liberia Information Minister, Laurence Bropleh, for helping the Liberian people reduce poverty and improve self-sufficiency.

There’s still much work to be done in Liberia. With your support, we’ll continue to help the Liberian people strengthen and rebuild their country.