Belle Yella, Liberia

In January 2009, we evaluated the urgency of assistance in Liberia that were in need of medical facilities.

Belle Yella, Liberia is located in Gbarpolu County in the heart of the Liberian jungle. Not accessible by any driving road, individuals must walk 35km through the jungle to reach the community. Currently, there is no health care within a six hour walk, and the nearest hospital is over a ten hour walk, followed by four more hours in a car. Individuals who have fallen ill and require health care must be carried out by community members. Unfortunately, most who are sick die en route to a health care facility.

The incredible need of this community was instantly apparent. While the government is trying to construct schools and health care facilities as quickly as possible, it is not fast enough to meet the demand of Liberians who are returning to this once war-stricken country.

In February 2009, Executive Director Rebecca Conte hiked into Belle Yella for a community assessment. After the assessment was complete, Med25 began their partnership by purchasing necessary equipment and supplies for the traditional birth attendants in the community, hoping to decrease the number of post-partum infections related to reusing medical supplies from patient to patient.

While the process is slow, Med25 is hoping to continue their partnership with the Belle Yella community. While also working with the Liberian Ministry of Health, Med25 hopes to one day construct a clinic, which would then be taken over by the Liberian government.