Liberia: Key Factors of Child Vulnerability April 20 – May 3, 2008

The Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF) sent its technical advisors, Lynne Schaberg and John Williamson, to Liberia to review the current situation in Liberia and identify possible areas for DCOF support. This visit was carried out in conjunction with the Health Office of the USAID Mission in Liberia during the period April 20 – May 3, 2008. Its specific aims were to:

1. Develop a broad understanding of the key social, economic, and policy issues affecting life in Liberia,
2. Identify the key factors causing child vulnerability in the country and those that might be more susceptible to short and medium term interventions,
3. Identify the Government of Liberia’s current efforts and capacity to address the key child vulnerability issues,
4. Identify the primary NGOs and the content of the vulnerable children programming in Liberia, and
5. Explore with the Mission possible mechanisms, gaps in ongoing programs, and issues that could be addressed with DCOF and Mission funding. 

This report details the results of that visit.