The economic environment is improving as Liberia remains Ebola-free

According to the World Health Organization, Liberia continues to be free of Ebola. This is contributing to the recovery of certain economic activities (ex. labor work and petty trade) and is helping to maintain food access for most market-dependent households at this time.

Weekly and daily markets are currently opened and according to WFP prices collected in August, food prices have remained relatively stable compared to past months. Cross-border flows with neighboring countries remain, however, below average due to continued Ebola-related fears.

Cumulative rainfall totals in September were average to above average across the country and have provided favorable conditions for crop development and the pursuit of various agricultural activities (ex. harvesting of cowpeas and vegetables). Labor opportunities from these activities are also providing poor households with income to help maintain their food access.

Due to the continuation of humanitarian assistance, the gradual recovery of economic activities, and early harvests in the southeastern counties, food insecurity has slightly improved in September. However, due to atypically weak household purchasing power, the majority of poor households are still facing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) acute food insecurity.

Given prospects of average to above-average 2015 harvests, food availability and incomes from agricultural labor will likely improve in the coming months, causing acute food insecurity to decline from Stressed (IPC Phase 2) to Minimal (IPC Phase 1) during the October to December harvest period.

For more detailed analysis, see the Remote Monitoring Update for August 2015.