Liberia country strategic plan (2026–2030)

CSP approved by the EB June 2026 session

Liberia faces significant human capital challenges, with food insecurity, malnutrition and limited access to quality education affecting a large share of its young people. Chronic poverty, climate-related shocks, volatility in food markets and uneven access to basic services continue to limit social and economic progress, despite sustained peace and relative political stability.

Heavy dependence on food imports leaves households highly exposed to regional and international price changes, with even moderate inflation sharply eroding purchasing power among already food-insecure populations. These pressures are compounded by weak infrastructure, limited market access and recurrent flooding, which constrain rural livelihoods and restrict economic opportunities. As a result, an estimated 21 percent of the population is chronically food insecure, with the highest prevalence in remote rural areas where households rely heavily on subsistence agriculture and have few alternative livelihood options. 

Liberia has one of the highest stunting rates in sub-Saharan Africa, with 26 percent of children under 5 affected and significant disparities between rural and urban areas. School attendance is lowest in areas facing the greatest food and nutrition challenges, while widespread micronutrient deficiencies and poor dietary diversity further undermine children’s growth and cognitive development. These converging challenges underscore the need for integrated programming that strengthens food security and nutrition and builds resilience in communities and food systems. 

The Government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and the United Nations sustainable development cooperation framework for 2026–2030 call for greater investment in human capital, poverty reduction and improved food security and nutrition. This country strategic plan for 2026–2030 addresses these priorities by building government capacity and support for a phased transition to nationally led systems for school meals, disaster risk management and health supply chains. 

In line with WFP’s strategic plan for 2026–2029 and corporate results framework, implementation of the country strategic plan will seek to produce the following two integrated outcomes: 

➢ Outcome 1: Crisis-affected populations are able to meet their food and nutrition needs before, during and after shocks. Complementing national response efforts, WFP will deliver assistance to people affected by shocks to meet their basic food and nutrition needs in times of crisis while also working to strengthen national and local readiness capacity. 

➢ Outcome 2: Government systems are enabled to deliver sustainable, nutrition-sensitive safety nets that enhance human capital and advance inclusive local food systems by 2030. WFP will support a nationally led, nutrition-sensitive school meal programme as a core component of Liberia’s social protection system, providing predictable, safe and nutritious meals while working with the strengthening government capacity to plan, manage and gradually finance the delivery of the programme. In parallel, WFP will work to strengthen health supply chains to enable the consistent delivery of nutrition and essential health commodities, including to hard-to-reach areas. 

This country strategic plan presents a pragmatic but ambitious pathway. It seeks to protect vulnerable populations from shocks and improve nutrition and learning for the next generation, thereby building a foundation for human capital development and strengthening national systems that can sustain impact beyond the duration of the plan. The plan prioritizes partnerships, data-driven decision-making and a progressive transition to government ownership, with the aim of supporting Liberia’s long-term stability, human development and economic growth.