accessibility & help

Post-conflict care in Liberia

A group of boys in the street holding guns ©InfoFourteen years of brutal civil war have had a devastating effect on the people of Liberia, with more than 150,000 people killed and many maimed both physically as well as mentally. At the end of the war in 2003, more than 100,000 ex-combatants were demobilised with more than 21,000 being child soldiers.

The British Red Cross is supporting the Liberia Red Cross to help children recover from the affects of the conflict through its child advocacy and rehabilitation (CAR) programme.

Rehabilitation

With the Liberia Red Cross, we are helping 300 children affected by war through its CAR centres in Monrovia and Zwedru. The programme:

  • helps children deal with their trauma through counselling and organised recreational and cultural activities
  • re-integrates children into society by providing them with education and vocational training – to give them greater independence, increase household income and improve living conditions for them and their families or their own children
  • creates child-friendly communities by increasing awareness of children’s rights and other issues – leading to a reduction in sexual violence, improved health and social welfare
  • supports projects that will increase families and communities self-sufficiency, by strengthening their ability to earn a living
  • strengthens the ability of the Liberia Red Cross to better address the needs of children affected by war.

See below for the stories of some of the people we are helping.

We value the support we receive very highly. The Red Cross has a permanent presence in communities across the world through our sister National Societies. We can therefore provide assurances that our donations are secure.

We invite supporters to become as involved in our work as they wish to, so they understand the impact their contribution makes to the lives of the people we help. We want our supporters to feel as much of a sense of ownership and pride in the Red Cross as we do.

Back to projects in need of your support 

Jeneh's story: moving on from war in Liberia

After fleeing violence in the Ivory Coast, Miata arrived in Liberia with nothing. Now the Red Cross is training her to be a tailor.

The Liberian civil war caused Sue a lot of pain, but now she’s learning new skills, like reading and writing, to give her a better future.

Michael, 18, has turned his life around by learning carpentry skills and using them to contribute to his war-torn community.

After the trauma Zoe, 17, went through during the war in Liberia, we’ve helped her get the education to support herself and her family.

Like thousands of children who grew up during the war in Liberia, 22-year-old Alice missed out on an education, but now we’re helping put that right.

Zoe, 18, grew up during the Liberian civil war in traumatic circumstances, but with our help now has a thriving tailoring business.

David, 18, was a child soldier in Liberia’s civil war. Now we’re helping him escape his past and fulfil his dream of becoming a mason.

Fighters raped Mariana during the war, but now she’s trying to rebuild her life by learning how to make soap.

Related

Contact us

020 7877 7253

Major Donor Appeal

Red Cross volunteers distributing a parcel

Help support the Red Cross today by making a major donation towards the breadth of our work in the UK and overseas.

Blog: women's inspiring stories

A Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteer warns people of a coming cyclone

Read stories of some of the inspiring women involved in our programmes around the world.

Be inspired  >

Sign up for emails

Enter your email address below to receive the latest Red Cross news