Published: May 21, 2025
CAPITOL HILL — The House of Representatives has concurred with the Liberian Senate on the enactment of the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA) Act, a legislative move aimed at tackling Liberia’s longstanding challenges with hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition.
The decision followed a detailed report from the House Judiciary Committee, which urged members to endorse the proposed law, citing its alignment with the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, poverty reduction, and improved national health outcomes.
“The proposed agency will serve as the logistical arm of the government, coordinating the reception, storage, and distribution of food assistance across the country,” the committee stated. “The agency’s autonomy is key to meeting the increasing demands of food logistics and aligning with global best practices.”
Grounded in Chapter 10, Article 89, and Article 6 of the 1986 Constitution, the act grants the NFAA full authority to manage national food assistance programs, respond to emergencies, and serve as the central coordinating body for food support services.
Lawmakers in plenary expressed unanimous support for the committee’s recommendations and agreed that the act is long overdue, especially amid growing concerns about food accessibility in vulnerable communities.
With concurrence now secured from both chambers of the Legislature, the NFAA Act heads to the Executive for signature by President Joseph Boakai and subsequent printing into handbills.
Once signed into law, the agency is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing food security and providing a coordinated framework for food-related interventions nationwide.
Stakeholders in the agriculture and humanitarian sectors have hailed the legislative move as a step in the right direction toward achieving national food self-sufficiency and strengthening Liberia’s social protection systems.
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