MONROVIA, LIBERIA — November 10, 2025 — Liberia officially launched the Health Security Program in Western and Central Africa (HeSP Liberia) today, a critical US$18 million initiative funded by the World Bank. The program, a testament to the nation’s commitment to fortifying its defenses against persistent and emerging public health threats, marks a significant milestone for both national and regional health resilience.
The HeSP Liberia project is the culmination of a decade-long health partnership between the World Bank and the Government of Liberia, dedicated to enhancing the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.
Building on Crisis Experience: HeSP directly utilizes lessons and foundational work from past crises. This includes the crucial support provided during the 2014 Ebola outbreak via the Ebola Emergency Response Project (EERP), the subsequent capacity-building under the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) Project, and efforts to mitigate the recent pandemic through the Liberia COVID-19 Project, which also strengthened national vaccine delivery systems.
Adopting the One Health Philosophy: Central to the HeSP’s design is the One Health approach, a methodology that the World Bank pioneered in Liberia. This strategy recognizes that human health is inextricably linked to animal and environmental health, necessitating an integrated approach to preparedness.
Aligned with the government’s comprehensive ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, HeSP is strategically designed to address key gaps and prepare Liberia for the future.
Addressing New Vulnerabilities: Despite significant progress, Liberia remains highly vulnerable to new health threats driven by factors like deforestation, climate change, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The HeSP aims to close these gaps through deeper, smarter, and more integrated investments.
The project is a transformative multi-sectoral undertaking, involving several key implementing agencies:
The Ministry of Health
The National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL)
The Ministry of Agriculture
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Investing in robust health security is viewed as integral to achieving the ARREST Agenda’s broader economic goals, as it protects citizens’ livelihoods and reduces crippling economic disruptions caused by public health crises.
During the launch, the World Bank underscored that the project’s success hinges on effective collaboration across all implementing bodies.
Immediate Deployment Against Mpox: A critical and immediate call to action was issued to the implementing agencies to collaborate effectively and deploy available HeSP resources to help contain the ongoing Mpox outbreak in Liberia. This urgent mobilization is seen as the first crucial test of the new program’s effectiveness.
Harmonizing Aid: Furthermore, the Bank stressed the necessity for harmonized efforts among all development partners. With global development aid for health currently facing reductions, the mandate to avoid duplication of work and fragmentation of funding is more critical than ever to maximize the impact of every resource spent.
The Government of Liberia was warmly congratulated on undertaking this ambitious and vital program, which promises to build a safer, healthier, and more resilient future for the nation.