Everyday life & practical information
Everyday life in Monrovia and the rural areas or small towns of Liberia is very different. The capital is often noisy with very heavy traffic, while the countryside and the smaller cities are relatively quiet. In addition to the popular coastal regions and beaches, the most popular tourist destinations also include Monrovia and the Sapo National Park.
Currency: Liberian Dollar (LD)
Exchange rate: 1 euro = 191 LD (02.12.2020)
Time zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Country code (phone): +231
Climate (for capital): Humid, tropical-hot
Eat
In Monrovia there are a number of restaurants with international cuisine, the prices there are comparable to the price level in Germany, or a little higher. There is far less choice in the smaller cities. The local restaurants are much cheaper and offer Liberian cuisine, in small wooden crates, or in restaurants of a higher standard. Typical dishes include ” Palava Sauce “, ” Palm Butter ” and ” Jollof Rice “.
Security
According to historyaah, crime has increased in Monrovia in recent years, including attacks on foreigners and burglaries by armed gangs. These incidents are mainly motivated by the drastic income gap between the foreign skilled workers and the local population. For this reason, special attention should be paid to the safety aspect when choosing accommodation. Raids on foreigners are rare outside the capital. The country is currently relatively stable politically, but foreigners should avoid demonstrations and similar crowds.
When bathing on the beaches of Liberia, special care is required due to the strong currents.
Health
Due to the tropical climate and the destroyed infrastructure, Liberia is a high risk area for various diseases. Malaria is a problem all year round and in all parts of the country; the dangerous malaria tropica is responsible for most cases of illness. There are also other tropical diseases such as yellow fever, cholera and dengue fever in Liberia. A detailed tropical medical consultation is therefore essential for a stay. The medical care – even in the capital, Monrovia- only very rudimentary. Pharmacies are widespread, but the quality of the drugs offered is often doubtful. Modern drugs for malaria prophylaxis such as Malarone are hardly available locally. Patients with serious illnesses should be transferred to Europe as soon as possible.
From February 2014 to December 2015, more than 11,315 people died of Ebola in West Africa, especially in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, at least 4809 of them in Liberia. On May 9, 2015, the country was six weeks without a new infection and was officially declared Ebola-free. In July 2015, however, there were again 6 cases, in November 2015 there were another 3 new cases, then another 3 in March and April 2016. What is still needed are efforts to combat the consequences of Ebola, the long-term consequences for those affected treat and improve the health system.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides further information on common diseases and health care in Liberia.
Based on the experience with the Ebola epidemic, the Liberian government has quickly taken security measures in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. The national emergency was lifted on July 22nd, but in public, including on public transport, a number of requirements apply: wearing a face mask, keeping a distance of one meter from other people, washing hands when entering the building, entering and leaving the building Activities.
From mid-March to August 24, there were 1290 proven Covid-19 infections in Liberia, 82 people died from them. These numbers are relatively low in an international comparison, but represent a major challenge for the weak health system.
Telecommunications
Various cell phone companies are competing for market share in the communications market in Liberia. The network coverage in the larger cities is good, but not always nationwide in rural regions. Starter kits (with a local SIM card) are available at the international airport and in Monrovia for a small fee. Scratch cards for topping up the fee account can be purchased everywhere at flying dealers. Calls abroad from cell phones are easy and relatively inexpensive. The Liberian landline network, on the other hand, is in very poor shape, with most Liberians relying solely on cell phones. In remote areas, the use of satellite telephones is common in the project area.
Internet access in Liberia is often slow and only widespread in the larger cities. In recent years, however, it has improved significantly thanks to the connection to the fiber optic cable off the coast. In Monrovia there are various internet cafes, hotels and upscale restaurants often offer wireless internet access. The mobile network operators offer internet for smartphones and portable wifi.
