Liberia
Australia is committed to working with Liberia to address the challenge of rebuilding the country after its civil conflict ended in 2003
Training and Scholarships
Since 2010, Liberian students have been travelling to Australia to take up masters level studies in areas such as health, education, water management and the extractive resources sector. These studies are funded under the Australia Awards scheme, which has also funded Liberian officials to participate in short term capacity building activities in Australia (trade law, diplomacy, and mining governance) and in Ghana (diplomacy training).
Community Engagement
Australia has supported a number of community projects in Liberia, including support for the rights of disabled persons, provision of solar lighting and vaccine fridges in the rural community of Toe, basic livelihoods and food security training in Central Liberia, and the provision of 5,000 lap desks to primary school students to ensure more young people benefit from basic education.
Peace and Security
Australia provided AUD1 million in 2010-11 to the United Nations Development Programme’s Liberia Justice and Security Trust Fund.
Humanitarian Aid
Australia has provided AUD2 million to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to assist in the humanitarian effort for Ivoirian refugees who fled to Liberia.
Australian Investment
Australia has a significant commercial presence in Liberia through BHP Billiton, which is in the preliminary stages of developing iron ore interests. Australian mining company Adamus Resources is also exploring for gold in western Liberia.