A recent Facebook post by KMTV Liberia claimed that 80% of Liberians are food insecure. The post, which has garnered 13 likes, three comments, and one share, also mentioned Liberia's rice yield and the national budget allocated to agriculture. Fact-checking organization Dubawa investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The post was made on September 21, 2026, and sparked interest from Dubawa, who sought to verify the claim as part of their mission to combat misinformation.
Dubawa's researcher contacted the claimant, but they refused to provide a source to support the 80% figure. The researcher then reviewed the Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey 2025 report published by Liberia's Ministry of Agriculture in February 2026. According to this report, 20.7% of households in Liberia are food insecure. This includes 3.5% severely food insecure and 17.2% moderately food insecure. The data shows a significant difference between rural and urban areas in terms of food insecurity.
The World Food Programme's 2025 Annual Country Report on Liberia also provides insights into food insecurity in the country. The report states that 22.2% of households in Liberia are food insecure. Although it does not break down the percentages of severely and moderately food insecure households, it corroborates the Ministry of Agriculture's findings that the situation is not as dire as claimed.
The discrepancy between the claimed 80% food insecurity rate and the actual figures may stem from outdated data. A 2023 Africa Regional Overview of Food and Nutrition Security report indicated that food insecurity was at 81%. This older data might have been the source of the claimant's information. However, it appears that the situation has improved since then.
The Ministry of Agriculture's Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey 2025 provides a detailed analysis of food insecurity across different regions in Liberia. The survey's findings are crucial for policymakers and stakeholders working to address food insecurity and improve nutrition. By understanding the actual state of food security, Liberia can better allocate resources and implement effective strategies.
Dubawa's investigation highlights the importance of verifying claims before sharing them, especially on social media platforms. Misinformation can spread quickly and have significant impacts on public perception and policy discussions. By promoting fact-based information, organizations like Dubawa aim to contribute to more informed public discourse.
In conclusion, the claim that 80% of Liberians face food insecurity is misleading. Current data from the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Food Programme indicate that the actual figures are significantly lower. This correction is essential for understanding the true state of food security in Liberia and for developing effective solutions to address any existing challenges.
Key points
- The claim of 80% food insecurity in Liberia is misleading.
- Actual food insecurity rates are around 20.7% of households.
- Outdated data may have contributed to the spread of the false claim.
