How did the civil war damage Liberia’s health care system?

The civil war in Liberia severely devastated the nation's health care system, which was already struggling prior to the conflict. Following years of unrest, the majority of health facilities were left in shambles or completely destroyed, particularly in regions outside of Monrovia.1

The damage extended beyond medical buildings to the country's essential infrastructure. The destruction of water delivery and sanitation systems, caused by the warfare, created unsafe water conditions that became a major source of disease. Consequently, international relief organizations were forced to step in and operate makeshift hospitals to address the urgent needs of the population. Rebuilding this infrastructure became a critical priority for the government as it sought to recover from the widespread devastation.21