A recent national survey in Liberia has revealed alarming rates of childhood malnutrition, with nearly one in four children under five suffering from acute malnutrition. The survey found that most Liberian families do not have enough money to buy the food they need, leading to a significant increase in malnutrition cases. The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where access to healthcare and nutritious food is limited.
Eight-month-old Helen, from a remote village in Grand Bassa County, is a stark example of the devastating impact of malnutrition. She lies against her mother's chest, her legs thin as reeds, her belly swollen, and her hair yellowing. Her mother, Naomi, cannot afford to buy her food, and the family's monthly income of LD$7500 (US$40) is barely enough to feed themselves.
The Irish nonprofit Concern is working to address the issue, but program manager Alfred Kekula doubts that Naomi will be able to access the necessary healthcare for Helen. Kekula says Naomi shows clear signs of post-partum depression and does not value the life of her child. The situation is not unique to Naomi's family, with Concern staff seeing a growing number of mothers and babies in a similar state across Grand Bassa County.
The crisis has been exacerbated by aid cuts, including the closure of USAID in 2025, which led to a shortage of Plumpy'Nut, a nutrient-dense food that has been used to treat malnutrition in Liberia. The government has also introduced fees for healthcare services, which has deterred many families from seeking help.
According to the Comprehensive Food Security and Nutrition Survey, the number of children under five suffering from acute malnutrition has nearly tripled to 8.5 percent, up from 3 percent in the 2020 Demographic and Health Survey. The survey also found that more than one in four children under five are stunted, too short for their age due to years of inadequate nutrition.
The situation is expected to worsen during the rainy season, when food becomes scarce and hunger increases. An analysis by the Cadre Harmonisé estimated that nearly 100,000 people will be in acute food crisis during this rainy season, bringing the total to 506,000 or 9 percent of the population.
Sayba Yawai Tamba, director of food security at the Ministry of Agriculture, has warned that the country's future is at risk if the malnutrition crisis is not addressed. Tamba says that malnutrition today will become poverty tomorrow, and that the country needs a healthy, educated, and productive population to compete and create jobs.
Key points
- The number of children under five suffering from acute malnutrition has nearly tripled to 8.5 percent in Liberia.
- Aid cuts and price rises have contributed to the increase in malnutrition cases.
- The crisis is expected to worsen during the rainy season, with nearly 100,000 people in acute food crisis.
