World Food Programme Fighting Hunger Worldwide

A rapid household food security assessment was conducted in March 2011 to inform interventions targeting refugees and host communities in Nimba County. The objectives of the study were to: measure levels of food insecurity and socio‐economic constraints of the host population and refugees in Nimba County; determine the ability of the markets to support food supply in the communities hosting refugees; and recommend relevant response options.

Since November 28, post-electoral violence in Western Côte d’Ivoire has led to a sustained influx of refugees into eastern parts of Liberia. An initial joint rapid needs assessment took place 2 December 2010, at a time when the caseload of refugees was a few hundred. Since then, the inflow of refugees into Liberia has accelerated as incidents continued in Western Côte d’Ivoire.

The rapid assessment was meant to provide interim guidance to food assistance programming, until such time as an in-depth assessment could be performed. Specifically, the study was meant to estimate food availability conditions and food access possibilities of refugee and host populations, and develop recommendations on appropriate response options.