The 2012 Liberia CAP MYR launched today seeks to raise a total of US$ 97,912,181 to implement 36 projects presented by 21 participating agencies in the areas of Water & Sanitation, Education, Health, Protection, Food aid, Agriculture, and Nutrition.

A consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) is required in major humanitarian crises and disasters which necessitate many aid agencies to deploy on the ground. To operate effectively, these agencies need to coordinate efforts to avoid gaps and duplication, focus on urgent needs, and work towards longer-term recovery. A common strategic approach is essential for an efficient response that builds on each organization’s strengths, allowing for a cohesive rather than a competitive appeal for funds. When revised at mid-year, the CAP helps monitor the progress and implementation of the common strategic approach, and highlight funding shortfalls that could undermine the attainment of the common strategic objectives.

When initially launched on 06 February 2012, the Liberia CAP targeted the same population categories as in the current CAP MYR, including refugees, third country nationals, and vulnerable Liberians in communities that hosted refugees.  While the number of refugees has significantly reduced from an estimated 128,000 at the initial CAP launch in February, to 58,245 individuals at the mid-year review, the number of vulnerable Liberians and third country nationals estimated at 140,000 and 2,000 individuals respectively has remained unchanged. 

Mr. Soumaré said that "even though we no longer are in the same situation as we were last year, there are pressing needs which still require our urgent attention” noting that “this goes both for the Ivorian refugees as well as the Liberian people who, despite their own vulnerability, have kindly opened their homes and hearts to their neighbors.”  The Humanitarian Coordinator extended the International Community’s gratitude to those Liberian families who have “so generously and unequivocally come to the assistance of brothers and sisters in need."

The Liberia CAP MYR stipulates that in spite of the relative improvement of the situation, significant humanitarian and recovery assistance is still required to address the needs of the targeted population categories, and particularly the host communities in Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee and Maryland counties. Failure to provide this assistance will harm the lives of refugees and livelihoods of vulnerable host populations, hinder recovery and community rehabilitation efforts, and further exacerbate and destabilize the region along the border with Cote d’Ivoire. The mid-year appeal is exactly about preventing this from happening.