"In addition to cutlasses, farmers will receive tool kits for reconstruction and agricultural needs, such as shovels, nails, hammers, hoes, axes, wheelbarrows and saws. The ICRC will also provide the population with rice, beans, vegetable seeds as well as blankets, mats, mosquito nets, buckets, clothing and soap." explains Sarah Wilson, ICRC Relief Coordinator.

The ICRC plans to provide tools and seeds to 65'000 families during the dry season in Lofa and Gbarpolu - northwest and also in the southeast. Lofa – one of the most war-affected regions of Liberia - was virtually empty when the ICRC moved back in October 2003, today over 25'800 families live there according to the latest ICRC population assessment. Most of them are spontaneous returnees from neighboring countries and displaced camps and people keep coming back. "In Lofa alone up to 40,000 families will benefit from this assistance, which should meet the needs of the ones already living there and of those daily coming back to the town" Sarah Wilson stresses.

The ICRC is supporting persons returning to their homes in the north and south of Liberia through the construction and rehabilitation of wells and the refurbishing of health clinics through supplies and staff, thus facilitating the access to safe drinking water and primary health care to the returnees.