The clinics are located in Grand Kru and Lofa counties and serve the basic health-care needs of over 107,000 people.

The facilities had been damaged during 14 years of armed conflict, which ended in 2003. In addition to rebuilding the facilities, the ICRC donated laboratory and other equipment, and also pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies, while providing training for medical staff and over 280 traditional midwives.

"Over the past two years, we have concentrated our efforts on reinforcing the capacity of the county health teams so as to enable them to provide primary health-care services on their own before the official handover," said Sara Beneit, the ICRC's health coordinator in Liberia.

One of the clinics that benefited from the programme is located in Lukasu, in Lofa county. "I am very happy to see the ICRC handing over the clinic of Lukasu, which was damaged during the war," said town chief Boakai Talawally at a ceremony in late May. "Our people and the ICRC staff have been sharing responsibility for patient and drug management. I express our appreciation for all the support given by the ICRC."

The ICRC and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare planned the handover in two phases to ensure that the health services would be sustained. The first phase transferred some responsibilities, including management, supervision, monitoring, data collection and maintenance, to the health teams and staff employed by the Ministry of Health. The second phase included all financial support – for drug supplies, operating costs, and the payment of salaries.

By the end of 2009, the ICRC will be transferring its health, economic security and water and sanitation programmes to the authorities and communities concerned. The ICRC delegation in Liberia will remain open to continue spreading knowledge of international humanitarian law among the police, the armed forces and universities, and providing support for the activities of the Liberia National Red Cross Society.