–Strengthening Resilience and Supporting Disaster-Affected Population (SRSDAP) in Liberia with ECOWAS “Clean Water, Stronger Livelihoods, Lasting Hope”
The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS), in partnership with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has officially launched the Strengthening Resilience and Supporting Disaster-Affected Populations (SRSDAP) project, a multi-county initiative aimed at restoring livelihoods and improving disaster preparedness in some of Liberia’s hardest-hit communities.
The ECOWAS-funded program, implemented in collaboration with national and local stakeholders, will benefit communities in Bong, Lofa, Montserrado, and Grand Cape Mount counties areas severely affected by the devastating 2024 floods.
Speaking at the launch, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Liberia, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, described the initiative as “not charity, but solidarity.” She emphasized that the program goes beyond immediate relief, focusing on building resilience through livelihood support, infrastructure rehabilitation, and community training.
“Disasters are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change,” Amb. Nkrumah said. “This project is about helping people get back on their feet and equipping them to face future disasters with strength and preparedness.”
Under the project, 1,820 families will receive cash transfers to meet urgent needs with dignity and choice, while 200 local farmers will be supported with seeds, tools, and training. Water access will be improved through the construction of 19 new hand pumps, two solar-powered water towers, and the rehabilitation of 36 damaged pumps.
LNRCS Chief Executive Officer Gregory Blamoh hailed the intervention as a “lifesaving and empowering” effort that will not only meet immediate needs but also restore hope and rebuild confidence in affected communities.
“Together, we are proving that when institutions unite around a common goal, real change is possible,” Blamoh said, thanking ECOWAS for its continued humanitarian commitment to Liberia.
NDMA Executive Director Hon. Ansu Dorley pledged transparency in implementation, assuring communities that beneficiary selection would be data-driven and free of favoritism. He also revealed that a second ECOWAS-supported project focused on sanitation facilities for disaster-affected areas has been successfully negotiated and will be launched soon.
Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, local leaders, and community members attended the ceremony, expressing hope that the initiative will mark a shift from reactive disaster response to proactive resilience building.
“This project is a profound commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods, and dignity,” said Deputy Minister for Research & Development Planning Edward K. Mulbah, speaking on behalf of Minister Francis Nyumalin. “Resilience must begin at the grassroots, with communities empowered to take charge of their own protection.”
With climate-related disasters on the rise, the SRSDAP project is expected to serve as a model for integrated, community-led disaster risk reduction in Liberia, combining humanitarian assistance with long-term resilience strategies.
