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Blurb Liberia

Date post: 17-May-2015
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LIBERIA Lone Star Rising Photos by: Christopher Herwig
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Page 1: Blurb Liberia

LIBERIALone Star Rising

Photos by: Christopher Herwig

Page 2: Blurb Liberia
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has proven its resilience and determination to emerge from conflict and create a lasting peace.

The capital, Monrovia, was largely destroyed in the vicious fighting between Government and rebel forces and the looting that followed. Many rural villagers fled their homes seeking safety in the capital. The small city is now estimated to have more than one million residents, many of whom live in the crowded slums on the edge of the St Paul River. With farms abandoned Liberia has been importing most of its food for many years.

But things are changing. Buildings that were riddled with bullet holes are being repaired and painted; schools and hospitals that were forced to close are reopening; and the streets are once again filling with people

Liberia has come a long way since a 15,000 strong peacekeeping force was first deployed to the small West African nation in 2003. The people of Liberia suffered through 14 years of civil unrest, with more than 250,000 killed. The country’s education and health systems were shattered, and roads and power lines destroyed. Hundreds of thousands were displaced. In a country that was once the model for West African development it was almost impossible to escape the effects of one of the most gruesome civil conflicts in recent history.

Liberia is a small country on the very tip of the West African coast. With 16 distinct indigenous ethnic groups and a large population descended from freed slaves from the USA the population is small but extremely diverse. It is a population that

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Response Unit has been created to deal with serious crimes like armed robbery and murder. The Armed Forces of Liberia are also being rebuilt, a difficult task in a country where the military has a history of contributing to war. “Liberia – Lone Star Rising” is a celebration of Liberia five years on from the end of the conflict. It is a glimpse into the lives of regular Liberians as they work towards long term peace and development. Under the guidance of a democratically elected Government led by Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first female President in Africa, Liberia is heading for a brighter future. - Carly Learson

buying and selling goods.

Farmers are returning to their land to grow the crops that can make the country self-sufficient, like rice, cassava and vegetables. With an abundance of resources including iron ore, gold and diamonds the mining industry is set to become a cornerstone of the Government’s economic development policies. Artisanal fishing is becoming more professional with fishing communities employing new technologies to compete with large foreign-owned boats.

The Liberian National Police Force, disbanded after the war ended, is being rebuilt, and will gradually gain credibility in the eyes of citizens. A new Emergency

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Shipping vessel in trouble along an isolated stretch of Grand Bassa’s coast Suburb of Monrovia near Bushrod Island

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Red Light, Monrovia Around Rally Time Market, downtown Monrovia

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A remote village in Grand Bassa County

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Football during the rainy season in central Monrovia Main highway through Bong County

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Monrovia was the landing point for freed slaves from the USA in the 1800s. Throughout much of the 20th century the city was a model for the rest of Africa, with impressive infrastructure and a port that exported timber, rubber and minerals. But civil unrest in the 1980s and 90s had a devastating effect.

The bridge linking the city with the port was the scene of fighting between Charles Taylor’s Government forces and LURD rebels, with civilians caught in the crossfire. With few buildings left without scars and its roads and infrastructure destroyed, the city, and its population, has slowly been recovering.

The markets are thriving, the port is once again operational, and new businesses are opening. Monrovia is again becoming a centre for business in Liberia and the region.

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Amputee Footballl in Monrovia Liberia 3 Rwanda 2

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Fans celebrate as Liberia takes a shot on net against Rwanda

Member of the all female Indian UN Police unit providing security at a football game

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Street barber Unionized wheelbarrow workers

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“Saywah - Saywah”“anything can happen”“no food for lazy man”

Customized wheelbarrows grilling meat for sale

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“No Die No Rest” written on the wallSquatter in an abanonded building in Monrovia

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Young man studying by a street light in Monrovia

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Taxis dodging potholes in central Monrovia Road construction workers, Lofa County

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Swamp fishing, Bong County

Liberia is incredibly rich in resources, including timber, rubber, iron ore, gold and diamonds. Development of these resources will be central to Liberia’s economic revitalization and development. Small scale mining is taking place, but workers use basic equipment – shovels and back hoes. Many Liberians make their income through agriculture – growing rice or cassava, or raising chickens or goats, generally following traditional methods.

Rubber tapper, Bong County

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Atlantic Fisheries Hauling in fishing nets, West Point

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Rice farming, Margibi County Cassava farm owned by a local women’s collective, Nimba County

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Gold mine, Weajue, Grand Cape Mount County

Diamond dealer, Monrovia

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A dispute over back pay at ELWA Junction, Monrovia

Factional alliances cemented during the civil war, and a complete breakdown of law and order destroyed the credibility of the Liberian Police and Armed Forces. With the peace agreement and the election of the new Government, most of the justice and security sectors were dismantled, and had to be rebuilt from scratch. Crime is still prevalent throughout the country, but the Liberia National Police (LNP) continues to progress and become stronger. A new Emergency Response Unit has been trained to deal with dangerous crime and address breakdowns in law and order, caused by unrest or mob violence. While prisons remain overcrowded, and there are often long waits for inmates between being charged and going to court, some credibility is being restored to the justice system.

Liberian National Police recruits in training

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Morning exercises at Liberian National Police training academy An LNP Officer patrols the streets on Old Road, Monrovia

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Members of the Emergency Response Unit search for weapons and drugs Drug den inside a looted grave in central Monrovia

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Campaign to combat gender-based violence

A clinic giving support to rape victims

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Inmates at Sanniquellie Prison, Nimba County

Judge Munah C. Sio, Temple of Justice, Monrovia

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United Nations Peacekeepers on patrol by land and air

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President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf addresses supporters at Unity Party Headquarters Women celebrate the anniversary of the election of Africa’s first female President

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Women in Peacebuilding Program (WIPNET)

‘Daily Talk’ is updated with the latest news

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Village graffiti

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After the disruption of the war, many who fled to Monrovia are now returning to the rural villages they left behind. With more people growing their own food, the country is becoming less dependent on imports.

Sapo National Park is the largest protected rainforest in West Africa. However, the rare species of plants and animals are being threatened by illegal mining in the park.

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Skills training for ex-combatants, Lofa CountyAdult literacy class, Nimba County

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Sapo National Park Chimpanzee

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Fistula operations at JFK Hospital, Monrovia Roadside herbalist

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A village elder with some of her 30 grandchildren, Nimba CountySurvey of early childhood development

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A baby at St. Francis Hospital’s maternal

and child health unit in Cestos City

Children in Bong County making gravel

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Students at an Islamic school, Bushrod Island, Monrovia

Schools have reopened, and a generation of children who have never known war are now attending classes. Enrolment rates have increased dramatically, but there are still more boys than girls attending – girls are often kept at home to work for their families.

The challenges facing Liberia – poor roads and other infrastructure, the tropical climate and widespread poverty – hit children the hardest.

School children eating lunch, Bong County

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An abandoned car becomes a rubbish dump, Monrovia A cultural group performs traditional dancing, Sapo National Park

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Liberia has emerged from a long, vicious war to become relatively safe and secure. Now the challenge is to rebuild and develop industries, consolidate gains in law enforcement and justice, and focus on educating and nurturing the nation’s next generation.

Much progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go before Liberia and its people reach their potential.

Children play amongst a wrecked ship, Point Four Beach, Monrovia

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