Liberia has made significant development strides over the past decade in trying to reduce poverty and expand basic service delivery to its population, and transitioning from one democratically elected Government to another. 

Despite these gains, food insecurity and malnutrition are still a major concern across the country. Underlying causes of poverty are high food prices, disruptions in food supply, lack of employment opportunities and low level of access to education. The country is heavily dependent on foreign aid and investment.

The agricultural sector plays a key role in food security and poverty reduction as it provides the main livelihood for almost 70 percent of the Liberian workforce. 

However, it is characterized by factors including limited modern cultivation methods or machinery, inadequate storage facilities leading to huge post-harvest losses, an ageing agricultural labour force and land ack of access to markets.

The World Food Programme supports the Government through an integrated approach involving food security, agriculture, nutrition and education. Key priorities include capacity-strengthening of national and local institutions. 

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What the World Food Programme is doing in Liberia

Resilience building
WFP is promoting diet diversification through the production of staple crops (rice, cassava) and vegetables; Increasing the income level of vulnerable families to meet their basic needs; enhancing the knowledge and skills on best agricultural practices from the various hands-on training participants received; reducing post-harvest loss with project support of tools & equipment and the construction of post-harvest management facilities (warehouse, agribusiness centres); supporting financial inclusion by introducing savings practices through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), which is a sort of saving that allows participants to borrow from their savings to meet their financial needs like school fees, health care including business support to get involve into Income generating activities (IGA).
School meals
Through the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSF), WFP is increasing the educational outcome of Schools (enrolment, attendance, retention, attentiveness). In October 2023, WFP conducted a follow-up survey in 52 percent of its total supported schools. The study found out that the average enrolment rate in supported schools has increased by 4% and in some schools of food insecure counties, it has been increased remarkably by more than 30% where seating become challenges due to inadequate furniture. The overall retention rate is 89.7% and overall pass rate is 82%. Additionally, through the HGSF, smallholder farmers benefiting from the programme has enhanced their ability to increase their production and provided economic transformation. More than 5000 smallholder farmers (SHF) now have market to sell their produce which allows them to realize the Benefit of their labour and increase their income level thereby increasing agriculture production and productivity which contributes to the overall food security of the country.
Supply chain
WFP is also supporting the Government of Liberia through the delivery of essential medical supplies to health facilities and the management of the Central Medical Store. WFP is delivering medicines & health supplies to 13 County depots, 36 hospitals, 136 health centres.

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Partners and donors

Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Liberia is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Government of the Republic of Liberia BRAC International Welthungerhilfe Government of Japan Government of France

Operations in Liberia

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