Caritas Liberia

The work of Caritas Liberia began in earnest in the civil crisis that started in 1990 and escalated in 1999-2003 when the agency provided emergency assistance such as food and medical supplies to thousands of people forced to flee their villages. Since 2003, the agency has moved from delivering immediate emergency relief to longer-term development programmes in sustainable agriculture, education, maternal and child health, HIV and AIDS prevention, poverty eradication and livelihood development. Caritas Liberia’s enduring commitment to help the poorest and vulnerable populations lead full and productive lives and participate in decisions regarding their right to development underpins their work.

Caritas Liberia agricultural-led development initiatives aims to reduce poverty and hunger and improve rural livelihoods. Programmes include the provision of seeds and fertilizer, and training to farmers on how to improve their cassava and rice yields by introducing improved farming techniques, time-saving technologies and better access to markets.

Since its beginnings, one of Caritas Liberia’s primary missions has been to provide care to those affected by AIDs and increase awareness on prevention measures to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. At the diocesan level, Caritas Gbarnga, in conjunction with CRS, implemented The Faithful House project to promote marital fidelity to mitigate the spread of the virus among married couples.

The agency’s health programmes provides pre-natal care to expecting mothers, works with communities to strengthen immunization and health systems, and provides training and liaisons with Government and Non-Governmental Organisations.