Liberia

Despite significant progress, the socio-economic situation in Liberia remains fragile; the economy and public services have been tested by several years of economic recession following the Ebola epidemic (2014/2016) and then COVID-19.

As a result, the country was ranked 178th out of 189 on the United Nations Human Development Index in 2021.

Leading the Liberia WASH Consortium (LWC), Action contre la Faim continues to implement, with consortium partners Concern Worldwide and WaterAid, the 4th year of a multi-sectoral program funded by Irish Aid. This project aimed at tackling the main drivers of undernutrition and reducing chronic malnutrition in Montserrado (Rural) and Grand Bassa counties by improving livelihoods and access to safe, varied and nutritious food, ensuring sustainable access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, building the capacity of community health workers to deliver quality basic services, and implementing strategies to prevent stunting. At the same time, Action contre la Faim is continuing to implement the PROSSAN 2 program, which aims to strengthen health services and practices among women, men and adolescents in Montserrado’s precarious neighborhoods and areas.

As Liberia is chronically vulnerable to flooding, Action contre la Faim has proposed, via funding from the Start Network (Anticipation Tool), to support the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to strengthen the flood early warning system so that it can provide more accurate rainfall forecast information and timely alerts to communities so that they can prepare for and anticipate potential damage.

In preparation for the launch of its new health project “Better Health Outcomes for Liberians” (BEHOL) funded by the Agence Française de Développement, Action contre la Faim has launched a series of preparatory studies in Montserrado, Margibi and Nimba counties:

• Environmental impact and medical waste management study,

• Gender and protection analysis,

• Mental health study.

The BEHOL project, scheduled to start at the beginning of 2024 and to run for 3 years, expects to achieve the following 4 results: 1) Improve the quality of health services at health center level 2) Increase individual knowledge and positive health behaviors 3) Improve community involvement and ownership of health services 4) Strengthen the health system at national and decentralized levels.