LIFE: Liberia Initiative for Food Enrichment

As the numbers show, the food crisis in Liberia is staggering. After 14 years of civil war, 85% of Liberians have no access to healthcare, 70% depend solely on agriculture for their food production, and 50% are at “poor” or “borderline” food consumption. The sum is a country with 80% Food Insecurity.

LIFE, OIC International’s Liberia Initiative for Food Enrichment, aims to eliminate the current food gap and nutritional deficit in two of the most food insecure counties of Liberia: Grand Geddeh and River Ghee. Through the distribution of soy flour and soy beans, OIC International’s initiative will benefit over half a million Liberians over the next 5 years.

The ultimate goal of LIFE, however, is not only to help Liberians. Rather, our program strives to help Liberians help themselves. Through technical and vocational training, and entrepreneurship and business development, OICI’s LIFE project aims to develop Liberia’s workforce. Attention to Food and Agricultural Security, Developing Finance, and Health, Nutrition, and HI/AIDS education, the initiative seeks to enhance the livelihood of Liberians. These combined efforts are a move toward the ultimate goal: Healthy, Self-Reliant Communities.

To achieve these goals, OIC International is partnering with LOIC, WISHH (World Initiative for Soy in Human Health), Malnutrition Matters: Food Technology Solutions, and Shelter For Life International.

Together with our partners, we recognize that a specific plan is necessary to accomplish our long-term goal of eliminating the current food gap and nutritional deficit in Liberia. Here’s our strategy:

• Implement agricultural, agro-processing and entrepreneurship training
• Develop and distribute fortified cassava bended cereals
• Build and rehabilitate community infrastructure
• Promote better feeding and care practices to mothers and children
• Implement school snack program and take-home rations for girls

Through these measures we expect to increase food availability and food access, improve food utilization, and expand opportunities for education. Together, these ends make up the final expected result of OIC International’s Liberia Initiative for Food Enrichment: Increased food security to help the lives of and give LIFE to Liberia.

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