Under the Radar: Chronic food insecurity could hurt Liberia’s economic growth and stability

By Alicia Chavy |

Since the end of the civil war in 2003, Liberia has become an example of progress and peaceful democratic transition for other countries emerging from conflict. The political, social, and economic progress that the country has experienced despite the disastrous Ebola outbreak in 2014 provide a positive outlook for the country.  However, there is a possibility that economic and political instability, and unrest, could evolve in the coming years due to the risk of food insecurity.

This could happen if the government fails to push for more constraining enforcement mechanisms, and fails to prioritize food security, human development, and global health in the upcoming years. There is an opportunity for investors, regional actors, and businesses to help enhance the country’s capabilities in fulfilling its food security goals by undertaking development, technological, and financial steps focusing on agriculture, infrastructure, health, water, and sanitation issues to help agribusinesses. Such initiatives would also give women, children, Ebola survivors, refugees, and orphans access to food and drinkable water in the short and long-term, and undermine a potential return of instability.

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