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TitleSustainability and disengagement strategies : WASH interventions in vulnerable contexts : Liberia with a focus on exit strategies : fieldwork - 2 of 4 : research findings and feedback
Publication TypeMiscellaneous
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsHouse, S
Pagination193 p.; boxes; tab.; fig.;
Date Published2007-06-01
PublisherAction Against Hunger International Network, ACF
Place PublishedParis, France
Keywordsinternational cooperation, liberia, sustainability, sustainable development
Abstract

The ‘Sustainability and disengagement strategies; WASH in vulnerable contexts’ research is being undertaken by an external consultant with the contributions of a wide range of staff members from within the ACF international network (ACF-IN). It aims to learn from ACF-IN programmes as to current good practice and challenges and to learn from communities and other sector actors from around the world on good practice in relation to achieving sustainability in vulnerable contexts. The main outputs will be a manual and accompanying CD which will be produced near the end of 2007.Liberia is currently in a post conflict and transitional situation following a brutal and violent 14 year civil war and is being supported in its demilitarisation and recovery by a joint United Nations Military force (UNMIL) and UN humanitarian mission. In 2006 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first elected female President in Africa and there is a renewed optimism in Liberia for the future. There are however still numerous challenges and risks ahead, including from the current level of approximately 85% unemployment, the numerous ex- combatants many of whom have had limited formal education and opportunities and conflicts in neighbouring countries. Everyone suffered in Liberia during the civil war and out of a total population of around 3 million it is estimated that over 250,000 lives have been lost, 464,000 Liberians became internally displaced and 350,000 became refugees in neighbouring countries. The women and children of Liberia also particularly suffered in the war, and one study by the WHO finding that of over 1,600 women that they interviewed in 6 Counties, that over 90% of those interviewed had been subjected to one or more acts of sexual abuse during the war and 75% having been raped and otherwise violently abused, often by gangs of men. It is estimated that approximately 76% of people in Liberia live on less than 1 USD / day and 52% on less than 0.5 USD / day. The government is still in a process of re-structuring itself and has limited funds, personnel and capacity at this time. The WASH sector is however working to develop sector policies and the Government of Liberia (GoL) has expressed the need for international organisations and donors to continue supporting it in re-building Liberia and overcoming the many challenges. It is estimated that in 2006, approximately 32% of households have access to safe drinking water and 24% have access to sanitary facilities. Poor and crumbling infrastructure leading to poor accessibility to many areas is seriously hampering humanitarian and development efforts and the large numbers of the population living in small settlements also poses challenges (it is noted that before war that 74% of the rural population of Liberia lived in communities of less than 100 persons). [authors abstract]

NotesBibliography p. 189 - 192
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