Liberia

Malnutrition rates in Liberia have remained stagnant for many years. More than 230,000 children in Liberia suffer from chronic malnutrition, which can have long-term effects on a child’s physical and mental health development, even causing death from common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea and pneumonia.

In order to promote dietary diversity and address the hunger gap, a quality cowpea variety that has grown well in the Concern program in Malawi was introduced to Liberia. The cowpea seeds were given to women in Concern-supported mother groups to fight malnutrition.

For the recipients, planting a new crop was an innovation in itself, whilst also encouraging seed saving and seed sharing in order to make the cowpea introduction sustainable in the long term.

Access to clean water gives families more time to earn a living and allows children to go to school. Not only does walking for water keep children out of school, it also takes up parents time that could otherwise be spent on their livelihoods.

We are working with communities to promote good sanitation and hygiene practices. Water management committees are leading on these activities by focusing on the maintenance of the water supply infrastructure and promoting the health benefits of clean drinking water.

By the end of July 2018, construction of 43 hand pumps was completed in Grand Bassa County. All the hand pumps were operational since November 2018. These hand pumps are serving an estimated population of at least 9,545 people.

A total of 68 WASH committees were established and trained on hygiene and sanitation best practices, operations and maintenance of these hand pumps.

Over the years, hygiene promotion messages have always been spread to adults. Most of the adults kept the messages to themselves, which meant children were left vulnerable.

Experience has shown that children are particularly receptive to health education and are excellent ambassadors to their families and friends, resulting in wider behavioral change.

The Child to Child program was designed to get children directly involved in the promotion of good hygiene practices and the prevention of diseases and to educate other children on the same. The program taught children how to prevent themselves from diseases while in the absence of their parents. It also helped children to learn how diseases spread, signs and symptoms of certain diseases and preventative measures.