The United States – Approximately 250,000 to 500,000 Liberians residing in the United States have consistently provided financial support to Liberia. Although in July, Liberians in the Diaspora threatened to suspend remittances to Liberia if the government of Liberia implemented a plan to dramatically change the rate of exchange of remittances from 75% United States Dollars to 100% Liberian Dollars.
A previous World Bank report showed that Liberians in the US sent roughly $ 433 million to friends and family in Liberia representing 76% of national budget. Reportedly, prior to the COVID 19 Pandemic, Liberians in the Diaspora remittances declined.
However, due to the expected hardship that Liberians will endure if the virus hits Liberia similar to other developed countries, Liberian organizations in the US, generally, headed by women are amplifying their support for women and children in Liberia even though they are also affected by pandemic. Many Liberians in the US are experiencing hardship including the loss of jobs, and the inability to attend social gathering (funeral, wedding, visitations).
Most Liberians in the US are restricted to staying home. Schools are shut down. Persons who are not essential employees (most health care/food service works) are strongly discouraged from leaving their home except for grocery shopping or other emergency purposes. 6.6 million People in the US filed for unemployment compensation last week. Unlike Liberia, the US government will financially compensate persons who suffered job loss or a decreased in the income due to the virus. At least $1200, 00 will be given to taxpayers to help boost spending and to provide relief from the economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The President of Liberia recent announcement to lock down the country via invoking a state of emergency throughout Liberia effective Friday, April 10 at 11:59 pm due to the pandemic will cause hardship for many Liberians. Like many countries around the world, Liberia has imposed lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID-19. Lockdowns have proved effective measures for battling the pandemic, but they have also exposed gendered inequalities and the threats to women across the world. Considering the economic challenges and the cultural practices of Liberians, lockdowns will increased in violence against women and children, as well as, food insecurity.
Diaspora women for Change, Inc. and Alliance of Liberian Women International, headed by Dr. Francien Chenoweth Richardson and Ysindi Martin-Kpeyei, respectively, distributed Liberian made African Print facial masks and bags of rice to several local organizations including Rescued and Abandoned Children in Hardship (REACH), Build Liberia Education Foundation, and Love and Child Orphanage. Ms. Rosa Park, a local Liberian woman, facilitated the distribution. Over the next few weeks, partnership involving local Liberian organizations and organizations in the Diaspora will be extremely instrumental in decreasing the suffering relating to food insecurity and supporting mitigation strategies to combat CO-VID-19. Ms. Ne- Suah Beyan Livingstone, founder of the Rescued and Abandoned Children in hardship (REACH) program, fed at least 300 children weekly prior to the pandemic. Ms. Livingston reports that she is now organizing “food packages” and dropping it off to the children’s home (or designated locations) to comply with social distancing.
Diaspora Women for Change, Inc and Alliance of Liberian International were established to help prevent gender-based violence in Liberia and immigrant communities in the Diaspora. Recently both organization sponsored an anti-abuse message is airing on a local radio station. Financial support from several members enables Diaspora Women for Change, Inc and Alliance of Liberian International to give back to Liberia.