Liberia
Many people in Liberia suffer from diseases such as river blindness. In 2017, we helped to distribute more than 2.5 million treatments to stop the spread of these diseases.
Sightsavers is working to eliminate two neglected tropical diseases in Liberia – river blindness and lymphatic filiariasis – by distributing medication each year to communities at risk.
Alongside the medication programme, we produce educational materials to raise awareness of the importance of eye health. We train local volunteers to distribute medication within their communities, and we carry out screenings to check for river blindness and lymphatic filariasis so patients can be referred for treatment.
Sightsavers also helps to diagnose and treat cataracts and refractive error. Health workers, teachers and community volunteers are given short eye health training courses so they can screen people in the community and in schools, ensuring children with eye conditions receive the support and treatment they need.
At a glance
Total populationWhat we focus on
Key programmes
How we’re making a difference
Sightsavers’ Imran Khan explains how we’re working with the Liberian government to eliminate avoidable blindness in the country, and improve health and education for future generations.
Read Imran’s blogYour donation could help to protect sight
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September highlights: updates from around the world
News from Zambia, where Sightsavers helped Felix to gain his ophthalmology diploma. Plus news from Guinea, Togo and more.
Sierra Leone Eye Care Programme
More than 90 per cent of all blindness in Sierra Leone is also avoidable, significantly higher than the global average. This project aims to help reduce avoidable blindness and vision impairment.
“We’ve learned to treat all children equally”
Sightsavers' Kate McCoy travelled to northern Sierra Leone to visit a school where teachers are being specially trained to support children with disabilities.
May highlights: updates from around the world
News from Mali, where a new initiative is helping children with visual impairments to go to school. Plus updates from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Cameroon.
April highlights: updates from around the world
An update from Nigeria, where Sightsavers has donated new motorbikes to a group of NTD workers. Plus news from Guinea, Cameroon and Mozambique.
March highlights: updates from around the world
Including news from Liberia, where Sightsavers has reopened an eye clinic that has been closed for two years. Plus updates from Senegal, Malawi and more.
Meeting Sierra Leone’s miracle workers
A group of Sightsavers staff travelled to Makeni Hospital in Sierra Leone to meet the amazing eye care workers your donations are helping to support.
Children with disabilities in Sierra Leone given the chance to go to school
The Education for All project will focus on girls with disabilities, who are often excluded because of prejudice or a lack of funding.
The challenges facing health and education in Liberia
In 2013 a devastating Ebola outbreak decimated Liberia's already fragile healthcare system. Yet during this period, Sightsavers continued to operate.
IZUMI Foundation funding supports Liberia to tackle blinding NTDs
Sightsavers has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Foundation for its work in Liberia to eliminate river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.
President of Liberia applauds international collaboration on eye care
Liberia’s President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, expressed her appreciation for the work of Sightsavers, Lions International and PREVAIL.
Henry’s story
An inclusive school project for blind children in Sierra Leone has boosted Henry’s confidence: his ambition is to become a politician and change his country.
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