(Monrovia, Liberia – March 22, 2025)– The Ministry of Health, through its Environmental and Occupational Health Program, in collaboration with the World Bank, hosted a one-day workshop at Cape Hotel in Monrovia. The event brought together key stakeholders from the health and environmental sectors to conduct a desk review of initial findings from Liberia’s ongoing Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA). This initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening the country’s response to climate-induced health risks.
Dr. Anderson Flomo, Jr., Deputy Director of the Environmental and Occupational Health Program and the Ministry’s focal person on the CHVA project has been spearheading these efforts. He underscored the urgency of building a climate-resilient healthcare system, emphasizing that the assessment will provide data-driven insights to help policymakers and health authorities protect vulnerable communities. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is already affecting public health in Liberia. This assessment is crucial for identifying gaps and implementing effective adaptation strategies,” Dr. Flomo stated.
With the backing of international partners and local authorities, Liberia is making progress in tackling the health consequences of climate change. However, experts stress the need for sustained investment, increased technical expertise, and stronger policy implementation to ensure that climate adaptation strategies are effectively integrated into Liberia’s health sector. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global temperatures are projected to rise by at least 3 degrees Celsius by 2050, with sea levels increasing by at least one meter, leading to widespread population displacement. These alarming predictions highlight the urgent need for Liberia to establish climate-resilient healthcare systems capable of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on public health.
To effectively respond, experts emphasize the necessity of completing a Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment. This assessment seeks to identify at-risk populations, evaluate Liberia’s adaptive capacity, and develop targeted solutions. However, financial and technical constraints have hindered progress, with one-third of African nations, including Liberia, yet to complete their CHVA. Stakeholders remain optimistic that Liberia’s ongoing efforts will help bridge this gap and pave the way for a more resilient and responsive healthcare system in the face of climate change.