Liberia’s National Disaster Management Agency receives financial support to respond to disaster victims in the country.
By: Kruah Thompson
Monrovia, Liberia, November 8, 2024 –The Liberia National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) has received US$20 million from the World Bank and an additional US$1.5 million in cash assistance from the World Food Program to support disaster response and immediate recovery initiatives for flood-affected victims in Liberia.
Following extreme rainfall and resulting flooding between June 28 and July 1, 2024, in Montserrado, Bong, and Grand Cape Mount Counties, the European Union allocated EUR 130,000 in emergency humanitarian funding to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the disaster.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) reported that the unprecedented rainfall resulted in two deaths and displaced nearly 50,000 people, severely damaging homes, schools, and hospitals in Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties. At the conclusion of their report, the NDMA called for international support, estimating a need for US$10 million in emergency relief.
On July 16, 2024, the NDMA also projected that approximately 100,000 people remained at risk of flooding, storms, and coastal erosion, with heightened health risks expected. Of those affected, about 68% were women, children, and other vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities and single mothers, prompting the European Union to allocate EUR 130,000 in emergency humanitarian aid.
More recently, the NDMA received US$20 million from the World Bank and an additional USD 1.5 million in cash assistance from the World Food Programme to address the specific needs of counties severely impacted by the floods, including Rivercess, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, and Montserrado.
NDMA Executive Director Ansu V. S. Dulleh, Sr., said the money was given to address specific needs of the counties severely impacted by floods.
He told our reporter on Tuesday, November 5, 2025, that the funds will be directed towards essential resources such as shelters, food, water, and medical support aimed at enhancing disaster response infrastructure and providing relief for the affected counties.
“We will now be able to establish temporary shelters, restore damaged infrastructure, and educate the community on flood preparedness to ensure they do not only recover but also become more resilient to future flood challenges.”
Without providing specific details on when and where the funds were disbursed, Mr. Dulleh emphasized that the intervention is crucial for stabilizing local communities and equipping his team to respond quickly to emergencies.
He added that the funds will be used to compensate officials, helping to create a self-sustaining workforce ready to respond to future emergencies.
He expressed gratitude to the World Food Program and the World Bank for their generous support, noting that it is a testament to their solidarity with Liberia and underscores their commitment to establishing robust frameworks that support disaster response and immediate recovery efforts.
“As we speak, Liberia is committed to strengthening its preparedness through an early warning system initiative supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).”
According to him, this initiative aims to enhance the early warning system, ensuring that local communities receive timely alerts while increasing their knowledge and practices through a standardized framework that will enable a swift and effective response to disasters.
Providing an update on their efforts, he revealed that a group from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is currently conducting a comprehensive flood assessment across the counties to “identify high-risk areas and assess land use for agricultural practices.”
“Our team is currently in Grand Bassa County, working with members of the FAO to assess flood-affected areas in relation to agriculture. After completing the assessment, we will proceed to Grand Gedeh.” Mr. Dulleh noted. Editing by Jonathan Browne
