Liberia

EFA began operations in Liberia in 1997 as the civil war in Sierra Leone degenerated. Since 1997, EFA has remained active in Liberia and currently works in Bong, Grand Cape Mount, Lofa, Montserrado, and Nimba counties.

Liberia is considered part of the Guinean Forests of West Africa Hotspot, meaning it is both a highly threatend by highly diverse ecosystem. The country is more than 40 percent* covered in tropical rainforest - the highest forest cover in all of West Africa.

While a source of pride, the forests are under considerable pressure for their abundent resources, espcially as Liberia seeks to improve its economic prospects.

Emerging from a civil war instigated under the leadership of then-President Charles Taylor, Liberia held democratic elections in October and November 2005. Ellen Johnson Shielf became the President of Liberia at the end of 2005, the first female president in Africa.

However peace is fragile and as of December 2005, 15,000 UN Peace Keeping troops remained on the ground. "Given the historical role that natural resources have played in fuelling instability and conflict tackling the problem of natural resource management remains key to rebuilding Liberia’s and the regions security." An Architecture of Instability: How the critical link between natural resources and conflict remains unbroken, Global Witness, December 2005.

In response to the improving political situation and transition from humanitarian interventions to development, EFA is working with the United Nation's Environment Programme (UNEP) and High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to incorporate environmental management into their operations.

Other major EFA activities in Liberia include environmental education, livelihood training in tree nursery management, agroforestry, and domestic energy conservation with an emphasis on war-affected populations. EFA is also a member of the Alliance for Conservation in Liberia which aims to protect the key species and ecosystems in Libiera by harmonizing activities among international and Liberian NGOs.

*Consevation International, Novermber2003