The Liberian postal system is one of many institutions destroyed by the country's long-running conflict. On March 25, 2008, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), with the help of other U.S. government agencies, delivered thousands of dollars' worth of postal equipment to Liberia. It has been training Liberians in the use of that equipment and in ways to set up an efficient postal service.

Liberia's postal system was gravely damaged during the country's civil war, and the lack of security meant that many Liberians lost trust in the system. Today, most Liberians are unaware that a postal system exists in their country.

The postal ministry and main post office were gutted during the war and turned into shelters for refugees. In December 2007, when a delegation from the USPS visited, the building was nothing but a concrete frame with remnants of looted postal equipment. There was even a pile of mail left over from before the war that was waiting to be delivered.

The postal personnel system was equally devastated. There has been no training of personnel in more than a decade, and many of the postal workers from before the civil war rapidly are approaching retirement.

Despite the hurdles, Liberia's newly elected government is trying to rebuild its mail delivery system, one of the most basic and most needed public services.

"A functioning postal service is vital to any country, especially to a war-torn country like Liberia, where it is essential for their recovery and reconstruction efforts," said Alexander Lazaroff, a USPS chief postal inspector and chief security officer. Lazaroff was a member of the U.S. delegation that traveled to Liberia to donate the equipment. He pointed out that a postal system would provide employment, promote commerce and trade and provide a necessary vehicle for individuals to stay in contact with each other.

The plan to donate USPS supplies and services to Liberia began in 2007, when U.S. Ambassador to Liberia David Booth requested U.S. assistance.

The USPS recognized the need and, with other U.S. agencies, finally was able to deliver the equipment - which consisted of letter-sorting cases, sack racks and other mail handling equipment that will facilitate more efficient mail services.

USPS delivery truck

"Training is essential to the efficient operation of the post as they rebuild and solidify their operation," says Oscar Villanueva, a USPS inspector in charge of global security, who helped with the training. "A good security program provides confidence in the postal system, improves quality of service and promotes use of the mail," he said.

While they were in Liberia, the USPS delegation also conducted an analysis of Liberia's postal system and made recommendations for its ongoing development, noting that in the long term, Liberia will have to decide on the most appropriate delivery system, create a budgeting process and establish an address system.

Following his trip to Liberia, Lazaroff said: "I think this effort took place at a pivotal moment in the re-emergence of this burgeoning democracy. At a time when there is so much need for assistance in every segment of Liberian society, it is comforting to know that the mail will get through."

Source: US State Department