USAID/OTI Liberia Field Report June 2004
Program Description
USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives’ Liberia Transition Initiative (LTI) is part of the US Government’s efforts to promote stability and a smooth transition from civil war to elections in October 2005 under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on August 18, 2003.
Since it began operations in March 2004, LTI has been working in Liberia to:
- Promote good governance and independent media
- Strengthen key civil society organizations
- Support human rights and transitional justice initiatives
- Promote the reintegration of communities and reconciliation for all Liberians
Working with local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), key government ministries, UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), community groups, and media entities, OTI identifies and supports critical initiatives that support the country’s transition from war to peace. LTI’s implementing partner is Creative Associates International, Inc. (CAII). The $15 million FY 2004 budget includes $3 million in Transition Initiative funds and $12 million in Supplemental Funds.
Country Situation
General Security: UNMIL troops were deployed in mid-June to Maryland and Gran Kru counties due to increased reports of harassment and intimidation of the civilian population by MODEL fighters in the southeastern region. The security gap caused earlier by the absence of UNMIL troops also had adverse effects on the delivery of humanitarian assistance to war-affected communities and the decision of IDPs and refugees to return to their communities.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to Liberia continues to report that the slow progress in Liberia's reconstruction is due to the apparent inability of donors to honor pledges they made. Jacques P. Klein says that only a small portion of the $540 million pledged by donors in New York in February 2004 has been released. The optimism among ordinary Liberians for rapid changes has diminished over the last several months, as anticipated improvements in living conditions have not been realized by the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), UN Agencies and NGOs to positively improve the standard of living for thousands Liberians.
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR): As of June 23, UNMIL reports that 48,917 combatants from LURD, former GoL and MODEL have been disarmed and demobilized since December 2004 and that 38,308 ex-combatants have graduated from the disarmament and demobilization program. 3,430 children associated with the fighting forces (CAFF) have been processed, 21% of whom are girls. Preparation for the start of the next phase of the DDRR process is well underway. Disarmament and demobilization sites have been identified in Zwedru (Grand Gedeh) Tappita, Ganta, Kpein and Sanniquellie (Nimba) and Voinjama (Lofa). Other locations are Harper (Maryland) and the reopening of Gbarnga (Bong County).
USAID/OTI Highlights
A. Narrative Summary
LTI launched the YES program in June with the establishment of the Curriculum Advisory Committee who will oversee the development and testing of the curriculum to be used in the non-formal education program. The CAC is made up of ten Liberian specialists of varying fields including literacy, peace and health education.
LTI continued its grants activities exploring new avenues for assistance in the peace process. LTI initiated discussions with various partners and actors to look at ways to resolve the waste management crisis and to determine the feasibility of re-vitalizing the USAID-donated printing press. Additionally, LTI
- Initiated a Good Governance Working Group;
- Established an MOU with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberian Refugee, Resettlement and Reintegration Commission and Development Alternatives International on the re-construction and re-furbishment of five government administrative buildings;
- Re-established the Media Against Conflict Working Group; and
- Developed a training program for the Press Union of Liberia on computer skills and journalism.
Program Impact
Supporting Liberian Non-Governmental Organizations
As part of its ongoing grant activities LTI has supplied approximately eight NGO-in-a-Box grants to local non-governmental organizations.
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| Talking Drum Studios back on the air. |
NGO-in-a-Box consists of office equipment, including computers and photocopiers, furniture and supplies. The role of NGOs in Liberia’s recent history cannot be understated. NGOs have played a critical and oftentimes life-saving role for Liberian citizens. Throughout the past fourteen years, Liberian NGOs delivered humanitarian assistance to relieve human suffering, provided advocacy on human rights issues, and supplied independent information services, among others.
LTI’s assistance has helped many NGOs to re-establish their services and re-invigorate their mandates. Among the grantees, Talking Drum Studios received production equipment for radio broadcasting which had recently been looted during the fighting in 2003. Talking Drum Studios Director Oscar Bloh noted, “Our broadcasting capacity has increased while staff skills in use of modern broadcasting studio equipment has been upgraded.” Talking Drum Studios programs now include soap operas and children’s dramas that highlight diverse social issues of concern and serve as vehicle to stimulate public awareness and discussions.
Another grantee, Foundation for International Dignity, which is working to advocate for peace and democracy, received critical office supplies, furniture and equipment. The foundation’s Deputy Director, Mr. James Jarsiah, said that the donations have allowed his group “to attract other partners, through an enhanced ability to generate quality products and proposals.”
Joseph Kettor, Deputy Director of the Liberian NGO Network, an umbrella organization for NGO coordination and advocacy, noted that the speed with which the equipment and materials arrived in their offices “came as a surprise in view of the usual bureaucratic processes associated in similar instances.”
LTI’s assistance to the NGO sector enables them to establish a productive working space, an important first step in increasing their capacity to provide vital services for the Liberian people.
B. Grant Activity Summary – USAID/OTI Liberia
USAID/OTI Summary of Cleared and Completed Activities
| GOOD GOVERNANCE |
$ 19,000 |
$1,011,000 |
1 |
22 |
| MEDIA |
$ 82,000 |
$ 178,000 |
4 |
7 |
| PEACE & JUSTICE |
$ 92,000 |
$ 534,000 |
4 |
18 |
| YOUTH TRAINING |
$0 |
$0 |
0 |
0 |
| TOTALS |
$193,000 |
$1,723,000 |
9 |
47 |
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
- LTI will finalize arrangements for support to the RIMCO Support Office which will coordinate monitoring of donor pledged funds to Liberia.
- Additionally the training of Master Trainers will take place in July, the next step in the delivery of the YES program.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington: John Gattorn, Liberia Program Manager, 202-712-0716, jgattorn@usaid.gov
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