Silver Spring, Maryland--As war-weary, displaced Liberians journey back into
their homeland, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is
supporting their efforts to restart their lives.
Through an extensive initiative called the Household Food Security Recovery
project, ADRA is improving food availability in 3,300 returning farming
households (approximately 17,100 individuals) in Lofa County, Liberia. The
one-year project is slated for completion in August 2007.

The peace and improved security that followed Liberia's democratic elections
in fall 2005 have led a significant number of internally displaced persons
(IDPs) and former refugees to return to the towns and villages they had fled
during the nation's brutal civil war. However, many Liberians are returning
to war-devastated homes and are without basic necessities such as health
care, education, clean drinking water, or sufficient food supplies.

ADRA's initiative assists IDPs and refugees currently living in the
war-ravaged Kolahun and Foya districts in Lofa County. Many of the returnees
and resident small-scale farmers, who have no assets and limited access to
quality farm tools, seeds, and other agricultural materials, are facing
difficulties in re-establishing their livelihoods and food sources.

"Agricultural production is a vital part of the rehabilitation and
redevelopment phases in post-conflict Liberia," says Cooper Mykers, country
director for ADRA Liberia. "Even though the civil conflict largely destroyed
the agriculture sector, the country still possesses a huge potential for
agriculture because of it vast and largely untapped fertile land. This
project will support returnees in the process of resettling, helping them
build the skills necessary to regain their self-reliance and unify their
communities."

The project began in August 2006 and has worked with 18 communities to
establish and train 60 local farmers' groups, composed of 50 families each,
in basic agricultural methods. In order to begin replenishing community food
resources, beneficiaries have also received necessary farming equipment,
seeds, and planting materials.

In an effort to replenish valuable livestock lost during the war, the
project has established and trained 20 women's groups, with 15 members each,
in livestock breeding and restocking. Each group received an initial stock
of 10 chickens, 10 ducks, five sheep, and five goats, along with a basic
veterinary kit.

By project's completion, the 3,300 beneficiary families should be able to
produce at least 50 percent of their household food and at least 80 percent
of families will have increased the number of meals eaten per day from one
to two.

"Over the last 16 years, ADRA has kept its commitment to help vulnerable
people in Liberia find lasting solutions to problems created by civil
conflict," continues Mykers. "With the restoration of durable peace to
Liberia, ADRA will pursue sustainable community development activities
within the framework of the Liberian government's policies that will respond
to and meet the most essential and basic needs of the country."

The project, valued at an estimated $680,000, is funded by the European
Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) through a collaboration between ADRA
Denmark and ADRA Liberia.

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and
emergency management without regard to political or religious association,
age, gender, or ethnicity.

Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.