Economic Recovery from Ebola for Liberia (EREL) FY15 Q2 Quarterly Report

The program targets three counties: Lofa, Montserrado, and Margibi, which were severely impacted by the outbreak. The program's primary objectives are to fill minimum food basket gaps, maintain normal agricultural production, protect vulnerable households' assets from depletion, and minimize the negative impacts on child nutrition. The program consists of two components: direct cash transfers to the most vulnerable households and agricultural input vouchers targeting smallholder farmers. The cash transfers are designed to provide unconditional support to households, while the agricultural input vouchers aim to increase access to essential inputs for farming. The program's implementation is led by Mercy Corps, in partnership with local organizations, including the Young Men's Christian Association of Liberia (YMCA), the Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL), and Volunteers to Support International Efforts in Developing Africa (VOSIEDA). During the first quarter of the program, Mercy Corps focused on launching the initiative, recruiting staff, and establishing partnerships with local organizations. The program's operational area was defined, and coordination efforts were undertaken with government departments, humanitarian organizations, and other stakeholders. The program's staff, including the Program Manager, Senior Program Officer, and M&E Manager, have prior experience in cash transfer programming, community mobilization, and agricultural development. The security context in Liberia has improved since the outbreak, with a significant decline in Ebola cases. However, the economic, psychological, and social toll of the outbreak continues to affect the population, particularly those who have been exposed to patients or have lost income during the crisis. The program's establishment of a fully operational country office in Monrovia and an office in Voinjama, Lofa County, has enabled staff to work closely with county officials, partners, and beneficiary communities. Mercy Corps has participated in various coordination meetings, including the UN's Early Recovery Cluster, the Cash Transfer Technical Working Group, and the Food Security Cluster. The program has also coordinated with government ministries, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Agriculture. The program's goal is to ensure that cash transfers are targeted and effective in addressing the economic shock caused by the Ebola outbreak. The program's implementation is ongoing, with a focus on beneficiary selection and registration, cash disbursement, and agricultural input distribution. The program's progress will be closely monitored, and adjustments will be made as necessary to ensure that the program's objectives are met.