Across Liberia, a quiet but dangerous crisis continues to unfold—one that affects how people live, stay healthy, and maintain dignity every day. For many families, especially in rural areas and crowded communities around Monrovia, access to a toilet is still not guaranteed.
According to the United Nations Common Country Analysis (CCA) 2025, supported by UNICEF and the WHO/UN Joint Monitoring Programme, more than 40% of Liberians still practice open defecation.
👉 Full UN report:
liberia.un.org�
Behind that number are real stories. In many rural communities, where open defecation rates can exceed 60%, families often have no option but to use nearby bushes or open land. In urban areas like West Point and New Kru Town, the situation is shaped by overcrowding. With few working public toilets and little space to build private ones, residents sometimes rely on beaches, waterways, or plastic bags commonly called “flying toilets.”
Health workers say the consequences are serious.
Poor sanitation continues to drive the spread of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid. Children are the most affected, with repeated infections putting them at risk of malnutrition and long-term health problems.
The situation becomes even more dangerous during the rainy season. Floodwaters often carry human waste into homes and water sources. In many communities, people fetch drinking water from wells located close to contaminated areas, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
Despite ongoing efforts by the government and partners, access to basic sanitation remains low. National data shows that fewer than 1 in 4 Liberians have access to basic sanitation services, leaving the majority without safe and private facilities.
For many citizens, this is not just about infrastructure, it is about dignity. Mothers worry about where their children will go at night. Young girls face safety risks. Entire communities live with the daily reality of poor sanitation and its consequences.
While awareness campaigns and community-led sanitation programs have made some progress, the scale of the challenge remains large. Rapid population growth, poverty, and limited investment in sanitation infrastructure continue to slow change.
The message from development partners is clear: improving sanitation is not optional, it is essential. Without urgent action, millions of Liberians will remain exposed to preventable diseases and unsafe living conditions.
For West Africa Voice, this is a reminder that development is not only measured in policies and plans, but in whether ordinary people can live healthy and dignified lives.