Liberia is to shortly begin a comprehensive food security, nutrition and vulnerability assessment survey.
According to health and agriculture authorities, it is proven that abnormal growth referred to as (stunt) and poverty are mainly caused by food insecurity and nutrition.
Some 32 percent of children in Liberia are stunted and that affects their reasoning.
At the same time, more of these children are said to be subjected to poverty due to poor nutrition.
Ahead of the survey, the Food and Nutrition Division at the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the LISGIS have begun a weeklong training for enumerators who will conduct the exercise.
At least 105 participants–35 of them are females—are taking part in the training, which began on Monday.
LIGIS Director General, T. Edward Liberty stressed the importance of the food security exercise, which he said is to provide partners with information regarding quality data.
Liberty urged the participants to do the right thing or what is best in moving the country forward.
The Director of the Nutrition Division at the Ministry of Health, Kou Baawo told the participants that they are learning in order to benefit themselves, urging them to apply seriousness.
According to her, the data they are to gather will direct the course of the incoming governmnt as well as live with their consciences forever.
The First Policy Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization, Al Hassan Cisse thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for taking the lead in the collection of data for food and nutrition in the country.
Cisse said the contributions made by partners is the beginning of ensuring that the exercise is successful while the particpants role is to collect reliabe data.
He said together the exercise is not only considered as one of history making but it makes everyone knowlegeable regarding food security and nutrition status in Liberia.
For his part, the Nutrition Consultant at UNICEF, Abraham G. Zharn described the exercise as service to humanity and warned participants against not bringing credibility to the process.
“We ask for your commitment. Quality data will give us informed decision,” the UNICEF Consultant said.
Zharn advised the enumerators in training not to be complacent and respect the rules.
The Executive Director of Food Security and Nutrition at the Ministry of Agriculture, Deroe Weeks said there is no doubts that there are issues of stunting, diet as well as food security and nutrition.
Weeks said this is the reason why the surveys have been conducted for food and nutrition across the country but this year’s survey is comprehensive especially for children under 5.
She said the results, which will be gathered using electronic gadgets provided by the government, will go a long way in helping the new government plan in tackling food insecurity across the country.
According to a press release, only 80 of the105 participants undergoing the training will be selected based on performance, according to a press release.