Liberia is ranked 175 (out of 189 countries) on the UN’s Human Development Index, with a life expectancy of 64.1 years and average school leaving age of just 9.6. Liberia’s economy is small and undiversified: the major sectors are mining (diamonds, iron ore, rutile, bauxite), fisheries and agriculture.
More than half the workforce is employed in agriculture and fishing industries. Women dominate the selling of agricultural goods and fish at local markets but their work is dependent on a steady and stable climate. Unfortunately, the climate crisis is making already significant gender inequality issues worse.
As with most countries, the COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on Liberia. But more significant is the country’s historical experience of civil war, the Ebola outbreak, and environmental disasters such as floods and landslides – all throughout the past few decades.
A better world needs all of us. That’s why CAFOD has been working in Liberia since the 1970s to make sure all people have resilient and adaptable livelihoods that work in harmony with the environment, and that communities are fully prepared for future emergencies.
