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Liberia

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Our Work in Country

A brutal civil war followed by a deadly Ebola outbreak decimated the health system in Liberia. Americares responded to the civil war with emergency shipments of medicine and supplies.

The organization then supported the country’s fight against the Ebola outbreak by recruiting staff for and managing one Ebola treatment unit in Liberia while fully supplying two others. Since that time, Americares has established an in-country staff, office and warehouse to manage programs and distribute aid, while making a longer term commitment in the region to build the capacity of the health system to meet future health crises.

A new health initiative is now underway in Liberia: Community Partnerships for Respectful Care is addressing the supply and demand sides of maternal health care service delivery.

Health Snapshot

Liberia, according to the World Health Organization, has one of the most fragile health infrastructures in the world. With an estimated population of 4.5 million, at one point there was approximately 1 physician for every 100,000 people.  As the Ebola outbreak infected 372 health care workers and killed 184, health facilities severely reduced services or closed altogether so people living with diseases like malaria and typhoid could not find treatment and expectant mothers were left to give birth at  home without trained birth attendants or safe facilities. 

A Thriving Local Health Center

As part of our longer term program to strengthen a badly weakened and under-resourced health system, Americares is increasing health care access and improving health services for mothers and newborns in Grand Bassa County. The project included facility upgrades (including some construction), equipment, medicines and staff training at three health facilities – one hospital and two clinics. One facility renovation now serves some 15,000 residents in and around Zondo Town in Grand Bassa County with a modern maternal/child clinic.  In addition, the new Community Partnerships for Respectful Care program supports those providing skilled care in order to improve the quality of care and increase the number of women delivering with a skilled birth attendant, as well as those accessing other essential services such as family planning, newborn and child health services and nutrition outreach.

Watch what happens in this story of a community with a thriving local health center. 

Community Health

Another major goal for community health is to train and protect this generation and the next generation of healthcare providers in post-conflict settings. This involves the necessary supplies, equipment, training and safety protocols that will support, protect and sustain health workers in their mission to serve the health needs of their communities –the cornerstone of a thriving health system. And we continue to expand programs for health workers such as the initiative to train health workers in fistula surgery,  community outreach and education – building on Americares work in Tanzania with Bugando Medical Centre.

It is incredibly difficult to access many remote communities in Liberia, such as John Logan Town, pictured above. This presents numerous challenges when working to spread information and awareness about how to reduce maternal mortality.
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Four workers in medical hazmat suits spray down garbage bags outside a medical tent.
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Americares medical staff pose outside a clinic for a group photo.
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Two women sit on a bench inside a health care center..
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Health Makes Everything Possible

Our Impact with Your Giving Dollar
Generous donors make all our achievements possible. We are able to respond to more disasters, expand our health programs and save more lives because of the individuals, foundations and corporations that trust Americares to improve the lives of people in the United States and around the world.
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  • 98% efficiency pie chart

  • More than 98% of our resources support health programs.

  • Americares efficiency with your charitable dollar is one reason that we’re trusted by donors and consistently receive high marks from charity evaluators.

Ways to Help

Whether you are an individual or a company, we have opportunities for you to make an impact. For example, you can start an online fundraiser or create a cause marketing program for your business.

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