By Linus Flomo/Bassa
The residents of Yarbehn Town in District four, Grand Bassa County are sounding an urgent alarm over worsening living conditions that they claimed are threatening their very survival.
In an exclusive interview on April 20, 2025, Town Chief Samuel George painted a grim picture of a community on the brink, appealing for immediate intervention from both the government and humanitarian organizations.
At the heart of the crisis is the town’s lack of access to clean water. A hand pump project launched by the international NGO Concern Worldwide was meant to provide a sustainable water source for the residents.
But the initiative now lies abandoned, unfinished, and unusable leaving the entire community without a reliable supply of safe drinking water.
“We’re forced to rely on creeks and unsafe sources that endanger our health,” Chief George lamented. “We were hopeful when the project started, but now we feel forgotten.”
Yarbehn’s educational challenges are no less severe. The town’s only school constructed by the community through pooled resources and voluntary labor is in a state of neglect.
It lacks even the most basic supplies such as books, desks, and chalkboards, the facility has become a shell of learning potential.
Despite repeated appeals to their legislative representative, the community has received no assistance.
“Our children are eager to learn, but how can they succeed without materials or support?” Sam Pello a parent. “We’ve done our part by building the school. Now we need help to make it functional.”
Transportation and access to nearby towns have also become a serious concern. The road linking Yarbehn to the rest of the county was built by the townspeople themselves, a testament to their resilience and commitment.
But today, that vital route is deteriorating rapidly, crumbling under the weight of neglect and lack of maintenance.
“This road was our connection to the outside world,” said Chief George. “Now it’s a symbol of our isolation.”
With conditions worsening and no relief in sight, the people of Yarbehn Town are growing increasingly desperate.
The absence of clean water, a functional school, and passable roads has left them feeling cut off and abandoned.
“We cannot continue to survive under these conditions,” Chief George pleaded.
“Our children need to learn, our families need clean water, and our roads need to be fixed. We are calling on humanitarian organizations, government officials, and all well-meaning Liberians to come to our aid before it’s too late.”
As we approach the rainy season, a time when road conditions typically worsen and waterborne illnesses spike, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
The people of Yarbehn Town are not asking for handouts; they are calling for solidarity, support, and the basic tools to live with dignity.
