European Union Playing Leading Role in Liberia’s Recovery!
Let Us Hail the EU!!!
From 1990 through 2003, there was a massive decline in livelihood for households as well as insecurity throughout Liberia.
This was occasioned by a devastating Civil conflict that left thousands dead; thousands uprooted and internally displaced, giving rise to some increased refugee populations in neighboring Countries and worst of all, a completely ruined economy.
The war disrupted whatever gains Liberia recovered before the 1980 Military Coup that ended the one-party legendary which resulted in the Civil war. The situation was later exacerbated by the shock of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and recently the emergence of the covid-19.
Before this decline, Liberia was ahead of Japan in terms of GDP and was a beacon of hope for African Liberation Movements as Africans trekked here in search of job opportunities.
But all these dividends were diminished when the Military Coup and the Civil War rendered Liberia no more useful to itself and those trekking there for livelihoods.
The situation became so alarming that it required the direct intervention of World powers to rescue and arrest the further deteriorating condition of the people only surviving on Aids.
Aids and Grants started pouring in from donor Countries to stabilize the State pruned to fail though Historians and economists refused to term Liberia, a “Failed State”.
Whatever the state of affairs, the Citizens continue to languish for lack of “anything and everything”.
First, the Americans and later the Europeans galvanized to restore hope to a desperate population desiring nothing but survival.
The European Union (EU) gradually became one of the biggest donors to the Liberian cause. The EU diagnosed the problems in Liberia and initially focus on sectors.
Under the EU National Indicative Program for Liberia, from 2008 – 2013 and 2014 – 2020, the amounts of 285 Million Euros and 310 Million Euros respectively, outlined the main focal sectors of the Cooperation with Liberia.
The period 2014 – 2020 under the 11th. European Development Fund (EDF) was aligned to the following sectors; Good Governance, Energy, Education, and Agriculture.
The EU priorities under the 10th. European Development Fund of US257 Million dollars funding covers the Rehabilitation of basic physical Infrastructure, and the provision of Social Services such as; Education, Health, and Governance.
As an indication of its commitment to aiding Liberia despite financing the above sectors, the EU is a strong supporter of the Government’s “Pro-Poor Agenda for Transformation and Development”
Not stopping there, the EU was a needy supporter of Liberia’s recovery process.
In 2020, the EU contributed One Million Euros to Liberia’s Household Income and Expenditure, a move that brought great relief to many Liberians.
At the same time, the EU provided Ten (10) Million Euros in 2014 as budget support for macroeconomy stabilization.
Under the Social development services sector, the EU provided 2.5 Million Euros to support the MoH with essential Healthcare Service Delivery in Grand Gedeh and Grand Kru Counties.
The above details are indications that the EU is here to make a difference in supporting the Country’s recovery from economic disruption over the years.
Hail! The support of the EU for its involvement in Liberia for two decades now.
