Liberia has come a long way since the end of its 14-year civil war, but despite the formal end of hostilities with the Accra Peace Agreement of 2003, the effects of the devastating conflict can still be seen today. Liberians grapple with a legacy of destroyed infrastructure, widespread poverty and poor living conditions.
With heavy dependence on rubber exports and the import of raw materials, Liberia’s economy is susceptible to fluctuations in global prices, making communities vulnerable to food insecurity.
Liberia has also been affected by the devastating Ebola epidemic, which hit West Africa in 2014 and has claimed thousands of lives. This epidemic has put harvests at risk and sent food prices soaring in the region, increasing the risk of hunger and malnutrition.
What we are doing
We have been present in Liberia since 1990 and our approach has evolved over the years. We are working with the Ministry of Health, local health authorities and partners to bolster national capacity to address malnutrition and its causes and effects, so that malnourished children can access the treatment they need to develop.
We have also trained health personnel at county level – Bong, Margibi, Monrovia and Montserrado -- and national level, and have seconded a nutrition expert to the Ministry of Health's recently-established nutrition unit.
Additionally, we are tackling the underlying causesof hunger, enhancing families’ access to sustainable sources of food and income. This includes:
- Providing seeds and tools to farmers
- Helping families set up their own vegetable gardens
- Improving access to water and sanitation
