LIBERIA: LDS Donates Tools, Seeds To Ivorian Refugees & Hosts In Nimba
By: Augustine N. Myers – The Lutheran Development Service in Liberia (LDS) with support from its partners, has completed the distribution of agricultural materials and vegetable seeds to hundreds of Ivorian refugees and host communities in Gbele-Geh District, Nimba County.
Materials been assembled at LDS ware house in KarnplayLSD Sign Board in Karnplay, Nimba County
The tools and seeds valued over 18 thousand United States dollars were distributed to 48 Groups in 16 communities in Gbele-Geh District.
Presenting the materials and seeds in three separate areas including Loguatuo, Duoplay and Karnplay, LDS Focal Person on the ACT-Alliance Project, Mr. Vandi Kallon said the donation of the items was part of efforts to assist the refugees and host communities, especially in making them to grow what they eat and in order for them to be productive and self-reliance.
Distribution of the materials in Loguatuo, Nimba County
Mr. Kallon recounted that the Project came about when the political crisis stated in the Ivory Coast, after which the Lutheran Development Service in Liberia and Finn Church Aid came together and intervened in the humanitarian situation at the time in Nimba County, by submitting a proposal to the Action by Churches Together in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to him, the LDS supported by ACT-Alliance came in with three activities for Gbele-Geh District, providing non-food items, engaging in agriculture and the construction of hand pumps.
Mr. Kallon said the provision of non-food items was carried out from April to May in 2011 to 1,245 direct beneficiaries.
According to Mr. Kallon, due to the need to empower the refugees and host communities by making them self-sufficient in food production, LDS decided to engage in development through Agriculture.
He said 48 Groups were established in the same 16 Communities in Gbele-Geh District, Nimba County, with each Community having 3 Groups.
Beneficiaries joyfully carrying the donated materials
Mr. Kallon also said the Lutheran Development Service in Liberia has simultaneously engaged in Water and Sanitation known as WATSAN, through the construction of hand pumps to provide safe drinking water and reduce water-related illnesses caused by contaminated water.
He at the same time spoke of the rehabilitation of 20 damaged hand pumps by the LDS, as part of the WATSAN activities, and that most of the 16 communities have already benefited.
Mr. Kallon pointed out that the LDS is not bias in the implementation of the 3 components of the Emergency Assistance for Ivorian refugees, by ensuring that local residents also benefit as host communities.
He expressed joy on behalf of the LDS and partners to transform the conditions of the refugees and host communities through empowerment programs, especially the distribution of agricultural tools and vegetable seeds to the beneficiaries.
A female resident and a male refugee spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, both commanding the LDS and partners, especially ACT-Alliance for the gesture.
Donated items carried by beneficiaries
For Madam Felecia Mataldi, the host communities including the Woman Groups were very happy to see the donation of valuable agricultural materials and vegetable seeds, describing it as a dream come true.
She prayed God’s blessings upon the LDS and partners and assured that the items will be fully utilized.
For his part, Mr. Bartiah Woyea-Olohea, Chairman of the Ivorian refugees in Loguatuo said the refugees were grateful for the items and seeds, emphasizing that the distribution was necessary to improve their living conditions.
He also praised the LDS and partners for the donation, describing it as timely and promised that the items will be used for the purpose intended.
The agricultural materials include: 48 wheel barrows, 96 Iron buckets, 480 Cutlasses, 240 pieces of Sharpening files, and 48 Decameters (Measuring tapes). Others are: 96 Watering cans, 240 Shovels, 480 Regular hoes, 720 Scratching hoes, and 96 bundles of Twine ropes.
Distribution of the materials in Duoplay, Nimba County
The vegetable seeds include: 240 kilograms of Corn, 144 kilograms of Pepper, and 144 kilograms of Bitter balls.
The 16 Communities include: Karnplay, Larpea 1, Larpea 2, Duoplay, Younlay, Gbanplay, Yeaplay, and Zeanlay 1. Others are: Kenlay 1, Kenlay 2, Kissiplay, New Loguatua, Kpanplay, Old Loguatuo, Duohnplay, and Davaplay.
