National stakeholders pledged to intensify efforts to combat malnutrition in Liberia.
Monrovia, Liberia – National stakeholders have pledged to intensify efforts to combat malnutrition in Liberia as the country grapples with an alarming child stunting rate of 29.8%, significantly exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended threshold of 22%.
This commitment emerged during the 2024 Joint Annual Assessment (JAA) consultation meetings, held from March 4 to 7 at the Last Mile Health Head Office in Monrovia. Organized by the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat under the Office of the Vice President, the event gathered over 40 key stakeholders including government officials, international partners, civil society organizations, donor communities, and youth groups to review progress, identify gaps, and chart a course to reduce malnutrition.
Liberia joined the SUN Movement in 2014, committing to a multi-sectoral approach that unites governments, civil society, and the private sector to eliminate malnutrition. This year’s JAA consultation, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other development partners, focused on addressing the critical challenges posed by Liberia’s high malnutrition rates and the urgent need for increased domestic resource allocation.
Augustine Musah, National SUN Coordinator, underscored the need for a collective response to combat malnutrition effectively. “This consultation enables us as a country to document our progress and jointly identify the persistent bottlenecks affecting our fight against malnutrition. We must adopt a unified approach and engage policymakers to ensure adequate funding and sustainable solutions to reduce the country’s stunting rate,” Musah said.
Participants discussed the nation’s nutrition performance during the previous 12 months, emphasizing both successes and ongoing difficulties. The SUN Secretariat’s operational capabilities and the absence of local funding for feeding initiatives were two of the most urgent issues.
“While we have made notable progress, meeting some of our key priorities particularly in domestic financing remains a major challenge,” Musah acknowledged. “Securing sustainable funding and strengthening the SUN Secretariat’s capacity are critical to achieving our national and international targets.”
Despite these challenges, stakeholders noted areas of improvement, including better coordination among partners and increased public awareness. However, the high rate of stunted growth in children under five remains a significant concern. According to UNICEF, one in three children in Liberia suffers from stunting, placing the nation among the 21 countries with the world’s highest stunting levels.
Experts warn that the long-term consequences of malnutrition are severe, impacting not only public health but also the country’s economic future. Stunted children are more likely to experience cognitive impairments, poor academic performance, and reduced productivity in adulthood, contributing to the cycle of poverty.
The FAO and other international partners emphasized that without urgent intervention, Liberia’s ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger, will be compromised. Stakeholders at the JAA consultation stressed the need to engage policymakers, including members of the House of Representatives, Senate, and executive agencies such as the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the National Food Assistance Authority (NFAA).
“We expect to set new priorities and advocate vigorously with policymakers to ensure these goals are met,” Musah emphasized. “This is not just a government issue it requires collaboration across all sectors to create sustainable change.”
Participants also called on the private sector to play a more active role in addressing malnutrition by supporting nutrition-sensitive programs and investing in food security initiatives. The outcomes of the 2024 JAA consultation will shape Liberia’s future nutrition policies, ensuring that commitments translate into tangible results. Stakeholders agreed to establish monitoring frameworks to track progress and identify emerging challenges.
Musah expressed optimism that the collaborative approach fostered by the SUN Movement will drive meaningful change. “We are committed to working hand-in-hand with all stakeholders to reduce malnutrition and ensure every child in Liberia has the opportunity to grow and thrive,” he said.
The SUN Secretariat plans to hold follow-up meetings with community leaders and policymakers to implement the strategies discussed during the consultation, reinforcing Liberia’s commitment to addressing its nutrition crisis.
Reported by: Simeon Wiakanty
Contact: +231881538878
