Seasonal Livelihoods Programming For Bong County

The World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with partners and the Government of Liberia has ended a week-long workshop on Seasonal Livelihoods Programming (SLP). The event took place recently in Gbarnga, Bong County. It was meant to enhance planning, resilience-building, and alignment of priorities for better results.

The Seasonal Livelihoods Programming (SLP) is a step (stage) process designed for longer-term programs development and alignment to national and local priorities. It places people, communities and partners at the center of planning, consultations, and consensus-building. SLP programming rightly positions partners to best complement one another to strengthen resilience outcomes.

The main purpose of the workshop was to provide all stakeholders (farmers, cooperating or implementing partners, civil society, local government authorities, and communities) the knowledge to enhance planning and designing of multi-sector, multi-year resilience-building activities through coordination and partnership at the sub-national level focusing on Bong County as a case study.

Over 40 participants largely from a pool of local civil society and community based livelihood groups, government ministries including Ministries of Internal Affairs, Education, Public Works, Health and representatives from national and international organizations who invest in partnerships supporting multi-sartorial development initiatives were part  of the event.

Various representatives (WFP, Government and Civil Society and Community Based Organizations) all gave thumps up to the workshop. The Director of Communications in the Office of Bong County Superintendent, Leon T. Harris, lauded the sessions as “a positive initiative” and is hopeful of better results when implemented.

Mr. Harris, representing the Superintendent, also appreciated the World Food Programme and facilitators for their professional organization and presentations. He specifically thanked WFP for the support and assured that the county leadership will lend support to the implementation of the Seasonal Livelihoods Programming (SLP) activities in Bong County. Mr. Harris elaborated that the workshop is a significant milestone and will provide the right space for development planning for Bong County. “This is an opportunity for understanding our County better. The County is looking forward to collaborating with WFP and other partners on the next steps which is mainly the Action Plan.”

WFP’s National Programme Policy Officer, Lonnie Herring, underscored the relevance of the SLP to strengthening resilience and coordination not only for farming communities but also for partners including line Government ministries. “The WFP Country Office is again pleased to collaborate with partners such as civil society groups, food security partners as well as the government, national and international stakeholders in advancing the objectives of the SLP”.

Ms. Mio Nozoe, WFP’s Programme Officer at Dakar (Senegal) Regional Bureau, challenged participants to demonstrate leadership and serve as torchbearers in advancing the aims of the SLP not only in Bong County but also elsewhere in Liberia.

“This SLP workshop provides you participants the opportunity to take the lead in developing Bong County especially in agriculture and food security. Hence, we urge you to see the SLP as one of the tools to achieving zero hunger 2030. Reaching zero hunger is possible for your communities and Liberia at large through your concerted efforts.” TNR