Liberia: UNDP, LIGIS Seal Partnership to Tackle Poverty
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) climaxed a successful training workshop for Phase I of the Validation and Training Workshop, marking a significant milestone in the creation of the Community-Based Local Multidimensional Poverty Indicator (CB-LMPI).
In partnership with the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LIGIS), UNDP achieved a breakthrough in local poverty measurement. This accomplishment involved the completion of the validation and training workshop and the deployment of digital data collectors to assess multidimensional poverty.
This initiative was climaxed on Monday, January 8, according to UNDP and partners, targeting specific communities supported by the Accelerated Community Development Programme (ACDP) and select electoral districts in Bomi, Bong, Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Lofa, Nimba, and Rivercess Counties.
Enumerators brainstorm during the training in Ganta City, Nimba County.
UNDP also said that the successful execution of these activities will pave the way for the production of the first-ever multidimensional poverty profile for a community or electoral district. This invaluable data will inform evidence-based resource allocations, contributing to more targeted poverty eradication strategies.
The three-day intensive training in Nimba and Gbarpolu convened participants from seven counties. The workshop covered validation exercises, comprehensive training, rigorous field tests, and insightful feedback sessions.
Its core objective was to design effective data collection instruments based on community consultations regarding their perception of poverty, its causes, identification methods, demographics of the poor, livelihoods, suggested solutions, and available support systems. Additionally, participants were equipped with digital data collection tools and protocols for field data collection.
The primary aim was to lay a solid foundation for designing a robust household survey instrument tailored for data collection across eight counties: Montserrado, Nimba, Lofa, Bong, Gbarpolu, Cape Mount, Bomi, and Rivercess.
Supported by the Regional Service Center, this initiative signifies a collective effort to enhance local capacities for sustainable development strategies across Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
The workshop targeted a total of 100 participants from ACDP Communities and Montserrado. Mobilization and community entry activities were integral components of the workshop’s objectives. Field staff are expected to engage with households in their assigned locations, gather household data, and submit their findings by January 2023.
Proficient participants from the ACDP communities were entrusted with leading the community entry process, while others were selected for the meticulous task of data collection under the supervision of nine assigned supervisors.
In alignment with the UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa’s project, “New Poverty and Inequality Metrics: Integrated Local MPIs for More Inclusive Local Development Policies and Programs,” this initiative symbolizes a collective commitment to improve the livelihoods of marginalized groups in these regions. It aims to reduce vulnerabilities and multidimensional poverty by employing local contexts and approaches.
UNDP further said that the successful completion of Phase I of the Validation and Training Workshop represents a significant stride toward establishing robust local multidimensional poverty indicators. Phase II will commence after the household survey, further strengthening these indicators. They will play a crucial role in shaping inclusive and well-informed development policies that cater to the diverse needs of these communities.