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May 30, 2008

Liberia's Aid Workers Enjoy Plenty Amid Poverty

Thousands of mostly European and American relief workers in Liberia are enjoying a lavish way of life that has prompted mixed feelings among many Liberians about the motives of foreigners serving in the country, reports The Washington Post.

As more and more aid has been flown into Liberia, the amenities geared toward Westerners — such as swimming pools, casinos, and beach-side bars — have flourished. “It’s completely insane. The whole city doesn’t have electricity. There’s not a water plant. And it has two sushi bars, air-conditioned sushi bars,” said Eliane Van De Velde, 35, a Belgian public-information officer of the U.N. mission in Liberia.

More than 600 nonprofit groups work in Liberia, the newspaper says.

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Friday May 30, 2008 | Permalink

Comments

1. It is scandalous to go into a country to provide aid and then for those aid workers to turn around and have amenities that the indigenous do not have. What audacity! What ever happened to altruism? I’ve been to Liberia. It is a very poor country. Water & electricity should not be squandered by the few when the majority do not have access to it.

   — Margie C. Sweeney, Helping Hands Healing Ministries, Inc.    May 30, 04:03 PM    #

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