CERF allocates $1.9 million to provide emergency support for the food security crisis in Liberia.
9 July 2008: Recent dramatic global trends in soaring food and fuel prices are having a major impact on hunger, vulnerability and poverty in Liberia. According to the World Bank, global prices for rice, Liberia’s main staple food commodity, have risen to near historic levels rising between 45-75 percent over the past year. Consequently, the insufficient food availability has had immediate negative impact on the health and nutritional status of Liberians, especially women and children. Malnutrition is the most significant cause of child mortality, with 44 percent of child deaths attributed to malnutrition.
![Liberian refigee children [Photo: UNHCR]](/Portals/11/Images_country/LBR_UNHCR_liberian refugee children_original.jpg) |
| Liberian refugee children [Photo:UNHCR] |
Liberia is particularly vulnerable to large increases in food prices for multiple reasons. The country is characterized by a fragile post-conflict environment with high risk of food-related violence. In addition, Liberia had been experiencing high rates of poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition prior to the increase in food prices. It is also highly reliant on food imports, including approximately 60 percent of rice, (the country’s staple) with even higher reliance in urban areas. The share of average household expenditure on food has risen significantly over the past year. Consequently, the country has witnessed a 22 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index food basket during the same period.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is using CERF funds to increase productivity and minimize crop losses for the 2008 rice-cropping season through the supply of fertilizers and pest management inputs. The project is assisting 30,000 food insecure households (450,000 people) to overcome food shortages, prevent acute malnutrition and protect agriculture-based livelihoods in the most food deficient areas of Liberia.
[Last update: 23 July 2008]