| Since December 1989, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been affected by destructive wars and civil strife pushing some 1,100,000 persons to seek refuge in Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Approximately one million have been internally displaced in both countries. The conflicts have claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people in Liberia and an unknown number in Sierra Leone. Houses, roads, and social and economic infrastructure have been destroyed and most people have been deprived of their livelihoods. Although Liberia and Sierra Leone have suffered the most from the internal conflicts, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have been affected since they have had to provide shelter in towns and camps to the refugee population, which has strained local resources.... |
