•Eight Liberians Benefit From Microfinance Training In Italy
Monrovia- 14 September 2005 – Eight Liberians recently benefited from a two-week training in Micro Finance at the International Labor Organization Training Center in Turin, Italy. The training program sponsored jointly by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is intended to increase the knowledge and capacity of the participants in the area of drafting policies that will facilitate the integration of Micro Finance into the financial sector of Liberia..MORE

•Gender Mainstreaming Workshop Begins In Monrovia
Monrovia, 12 September 2005- A week long workshop aim at developing a national agenda for gender mainstreaming got underway on Monday at a local hotel in Monrovia. The workshop, which is jointly sponsored by the UNDP in collaboration with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) brought together experts from various departments in the UNDP system...MORE

•Over 150 Youth end a Week-long Youth Conference Charting a new Future…
‘Kakata Declaration’ heralds new Youth Policy for Liberia MONROVIA, Friday 2 September 2005 – Perhaps for the first time in 158 years, and amidst a crucial impending transitional election, Liberia is embarking on the path of a realistic, practical, and holistic agenda to confront the vexing issues that have continued to bedevil its most vulnerable but indispensable asset – the youth...MORE

•Capacity of national partners crucial to peace, recovery and development in Liberia.
UNDP trains more than 100 national NGO implementing partners in participatory development.
Monrovia, 2 September 2005 – UNDP’s Community-based Recovery Programme has completed two training workshops for 35 national NGOs in Monrovia. UNDP’s NGO partners are implementing small-scale, labor-intensive micro-projects in 5 counties, namely Bong, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh and Lofa, focusing on schools, health and water and sanitation facilities, markets, access roads and bridges. The projects have been identified by the communities and are being implemented with their full participation...MORE

•Ireland reaffirms support to reintegration of Liberia’s ex-combatants
Makes second contribution to UNDP DDRR Trust Fund
Monrovia, 28 June 2005 –The Ambassador of Ireland accredited to Liberia, Liam Canniffe met today with UNDP Country Director Steven A. Ursino to review Liberia’s progress on the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration (DDRR) of ex-combatants...MORE

•Becomes number one contributor to the UNDP DDRR Trust Fund
USA contribution of 15 million USD provides major boost for reintegration of ex-combatants
Monrovia, 17 June 2005 – The United States of America has announced an additional contribution to the DDRR Trust Fund of UNDP. A cheque of 15 million USD from USAID was recently handed over by the American Ambassador in Liberia to Ambassador Abou Moussa, UNMIL’s Officer in Charge and UNDP’s Resident Coordinator. He applauded this additional contribution but underlined that more contributions are needed to ensure that the 42,800 waiting ex-combatants can be rehabilitated and reintegrated...MORE

•UNDP-Liberia hands over USD 2,4 million worth of drugs and equipment to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria
Monrovia, 15 June 2005 – In its capacity as Principal Recipient of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria UNDP-Liberia has handed over drugs, medical supplies, computers and vehicles to the National Drugs Services (NDS) and other implementing partners. By the end of this month UNDP-Liberia will have procured 2,4 million USD of goods for this programme...MORE

•UNDP launches 88 micro-projects in 4 counties
Sweden adds 23 million Swedish Kroner to the Community Based Recovery Programme (CBR) of UNDP-Liberia
Monrovia – 1 June 2005 – Sweden signed today a 23 million Swedish Kroner (about 3,5 million USD) agreement with UNDP for Liberia’s Community Based Recovery Programme (CBR). Sweden contributed earlier this year 18 million Swedish Kroner (about 2,5 million USD) to this programme. UNDP-Liberia uses these funds to support the strengthening of local institutions at district and community levels and for community-based micro-projects. Under this framework UNDP launched last Monday 88 micro-projects in Lofa, Grand Cape Mount, Bong and Nimba County...MORE

•Government of Sweden contributes for the fourth time to UNDP-DDRR Trust Fund
Sweden adds 25 million Swedish Kroner to rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-combatants in Liberia

" From right to left: The Swedish Diplomatic Represenative, Ms. Irina Schoulgin and Mr. Steven A. Ursino, Country Director of UNDP Liberia, exchange letters in confirming the additional contribution of 25 Million Swedish Kroner to the UNDP DDRR Trust Fund. Dr. Jarbo Executive Director of the NCDDRR witnesses the exchange."

Monrovia – 12 April 2005 – Sweden contributes 25 million Swedish Kroner to the Rehabilitation and Reintegration efforts of ex-combatants in Liberia. The diplomatic representative of Sweden announced this today in the Liberian capital Monrovia. The Swedish contribution will be channeled through the UNDP DDRR Trust Fund.

The Swedish Diplomatic Representative, Ms. Irina Schoulgin, said today in Monrovia that Sweden has decided to contribute 25 million Swedish Kroner (about 3,6 million
USD) to the UNDP DDRR Trust Fund..MORE

•Liberia launches Millennium Development Goals Report

From right to left Minister of Planning & Economic Affairs, Mr. Christian Herbert, Vice-Chairman of the NTGL, Mr. Wesley Johnson, UNDP Country Director, Mr. Steven Ursino, Minister of Gender Ms. Vabah Gayflor at the launch of the first Millennium Development Goals Report for Liberia..

Monrovia, March 23 2005 – Liberia will most probably not be able to achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015. This is the conclusion of the first Millennium Development Goals Report (MDGR) for Liberia that was presented last Tuesday in the Liberian capital Monrovia. The Government of Liberia however said that it is committed to take the necessary policy actions that would induce progress on the MDGs. The Vice-Chairman of the National Transitional Government (NTGL) of Liberia, Mr. Wesley Johnson, called the report at its official launch last Tuesday the baseline for human development in Liberia...MORE | Chairman Bryant Speech | Country Director Speech

•Civil society crucial to peace, reconstruction and development in Liberia.
UNDP facilitates a public forum on the role of civil society.
Monrovia, 18 March 2005 – As part of a global CSO Champion Initiative, UNDP in partnership with the University of Liberia hosted a free and open public forum on the role of civil society in peace, reconciliation and development in Liberia. Two UNDP resource persons, Dr. Robin Edward Poulton and Mr. Patrick Anderson, led the discussions, which took place in the University of Liberia’s Main Auditorium...MORE

•UNDP and International donors still on alert
Liberian ex-fighters threatened with expulsion, back to school

UN finds money to send expelled former combatants back to school."

MONROVIA, Wednesday 2 February 2005 – Thanks to an advance on expected pledges and contributions the UNDP DDRR-Trust Fund will enable Liberian ex-combatants to continue their studies for the current academic year. The Liberian Government and the United Nations warned last week that the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants is in serious financial difficulties and appealed for continued support of the international community for the DDRR-programme, a critical element in the peace process in Liberia...MORE

•UNDP and UNHCR band together to tackle Liberia’s post conflict challenges
Monrovia, December 10, 2004 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate efforts regarding the Repatriation, Reintegration and Rehabilitation of ex-combatants, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP’s) to their respective communities...MORE

•Liberian women crucial in reconstruction of Liberia

"UNIFEM Regional Coordinator Florence Butegwa and UNDP's Country Director Steven A. Ursino sign "Gender Letter of Understanding"

Monrovia, Friday, November 26, 2004 - UNDP Liberia and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) signed a letter of understanding to collaborate in ensuring that gender is mainstreamed in all UNDP programmes. The goal is to involve the Liberian women as major actors in the reconstruction of Liberia. The collaboration between the two UN-organizations will cover governance, community-based reintegration and recovery (CBR), rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants, human rights, and HIV/AIDS programmes. MORE..

•UNDP launches appeal for additional funding for DDRR-programme
Reintegration of former combatants at risk in Liberia

Monrovia, November 3, 2004 - The Rehabilitation and Reintegration phase of the DDRR-program in Liberia is at risk. Up to date firm pledges were made to rehabilitate and reintegrate 20,035 disarmed and demobilized ex-combatants into society. But more voluntary contributions are needed to address an additional caseload of 47,025 ex-combatants who are not yet enrolled in RR-programmes
Full Press Release | Joint Declaration

•Liberian Media Law and policy Reform Conference ends with ambitious plan of action
UNDP and UNESCO welcome roadmap for free press in Liberia
Monrovia, 25 October 2004 – A national conference on Media Law and Policy Reform adopted last Saturday an ambitious plan of action to guarantee press freedom in the country. The final conference statement called upon the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) to continue working with all involved stakeholders...MORE

•Increasing efforts to assist in the rebuilding of communities
UNDP trains District Development Committees in Bong County.
Monrovia, 21 October, 2004 - UNDP has started in Bong County its first three-day training for eight District Development Committees. This training is part of UNDP’s Community Based Recovery and Reintegration Programme (CBR), which aims at restoring local governance structures by strengthening the District Development Committees (DDCs) in the 9 worst war-affected counties. The Minister for Internal Affairs of the NTGL, the Bong Country Superintendent, representatives from UNDP, UNHCR’s Field Office and UNMIL Civil Affairs were present at the opening....MORE


•EMARGOED : "We are the Drums" to be released on 18 October throughout Africa
Eighteen African singers and musicians respond to UNDP's appeal to combat poverty and promote an "AIDS-free generation"
Monrovia, 18 October 2004—Eighteen top musicians from all over Africa have combined forces in response to the appeal launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to compose and perform a song aimed at involving every member of society in the fight against poverty and HIV/AIDS. The song, launched simultaneously in African countries on 18 October and entitled " We are the drums", is part of the "Africa 2015" initiative, the aim of which is to accelerate attainment of the "Millennium Development Goals" (MDGs)....MORE

Environment seminar urges Liberian Government to act on four key recommendations
Monrovia , 20 July 2004 - A two-day seminar on the environment in Liberia at Monrovia City Hall ended on 13 July with a clear message on the importance of environment protection during the country's recovery and reconstruction process. .More...

UN Seminar: Good management of environment is crucial to conflict prevention
Reconstruction of Liberia also depends on proper use of its natural resources

Monrovia - A United Nations seminar on the environment in Liberia started Monday at Monrovia's City Hall. More than 100 participants from government, civil society, and the international community will debate the future use of natural resources and environmental issues in the post-conflict country. Natural resources such as timber and diamonds were used to fuel Liberia's devastating 14-year civil war..More...

UN Environment Programme and UNDP assist Liberia in the protection of global environment

MONROVIA,Thursday, July 1st 2004 - The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has launched a project to assess the capacity of Liberia to help protect the global environment. The 12 month long project will examine the human, institutional and material capacities of Liberia to implement the three Rio Conventions. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNDP are giving financial and logistical support..More...

UNDP manages US$ 24.3 million to fight HIV/Aids, TB and Malaria in Liberia

Monrovia, 11 June 2004: By signing the Grant Agreement with the Global Fund UNDP-Liberia has accepted the role of being the Principal Recipient of a budget of 24.3 million dollar to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in Liberia. The Ceremony took place last Friday in the Blue Room of the Executive Mansion. Acting Chairman Wesley Johnson and UNDP-Country Director a.i. Elizabeth Oduor-Noah witnessed the signing event. The Agreement was co-signed by the Minister of Health, Peter S. Coleman, Chairman of the Liberia Coordinating Mechanism and by Richmond Draper, the Chairman of the Board of YMCA, as representative of the Liberian Civil Society. More...

Governance Reform Commission takes off with UNDP-assistance

Monrovia, Liberia, 4 June 2004 - UNDP-Liberia and Liberia's Governance Reform Commission (GRC) have signed a memorandum of understanding in order to implement and to promote the principles of good governance in post-war Liberia. It's a concrete step in the execution of UNDP's "Capacity Building Support for Governance"-programme in Liberia. UNDP will support the Governance Reform Commission with $ 500.000 dollars over the next two years. More...

Human rights monitors study impact of sexual violence during Liberia’s civil war

Monrovia, Liberia , 2 March 2004: Twenty-two human rights monitors are documenting the extent and consequences of sexual violence committed during Liberia's 14 years of civil war, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) announced Tuesday. More...

Liberia donor conference raises over US$500 million

New York, 6 February 2004: At an international conference aimed at helping Liberia recover from 14 years of civil war, participants today pledged more than US$500 million in new humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. Co-hosted by the United States, World Bank and United Nations, the International Reconstruction Conference for Liberia drew representatives from 96 countries. It sought $488 million as outlined in a joint United Nations/World Bank Needs Assessment of the Liberia's reconstruction requirements for the two-year transition leading to national democratic elections in October 2005. These needs were in addition to a $179 million appeal for humanitarian support launched by the United Nations in November 2003.

For more on the outcomes of the conference, see the final communiqué...

Liberians await aid from February 5-6 donors conference in New York

Monrovia, Liberia, 5 February 2004-- For the 2.7 million bruised and brutalized people of Liberia, the International Reconstruction Conference on Liberia at the United Nations today and Friday is more than just an appeal for $488 million in aid. More...

Media advisory: UN to host global meeting on Liberian aid 5-6 February 2004

Who: Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General Colin Powell, US Secretary of State C. Gyude Bryant, Chairman, National Transitional Government of Liberia Dominique de Villepin, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Thomas Kitt, Irish Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, representing the European Union Presidency

What: International Reconstruction Conference on Liberia

When: 5 February 2004 (10 am to 1:15 pm and 4-4:30 pm); 6 February 2004 (9 am to 5 pm)

Where: United Nations Secretariat, Trusteeship Council, New York

For accreditation: Journalists without United Nations accreditation who wish to cover the conference should send an accreditation request on company letterhead signed by a supervisor to Mr. Abdellatif Kabbaj, Chief, UN Media Accreditation Unit, United Nations at fax +1(212) 963-4642. For additional information, please call +1(212) 963-6937.

For press queries contact: In New York: Cassandra Waldon, tel.: +1 (212) 906 6499 ; or William Orme, tel: +1 (212) 906-5382. In Monrovia: Paul Van Goethem , Cell: + 377 47 53 47 30 . More...