Cestos City, Rivercess County ‐- The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed serious concern over the poor living conditions of children in River Cess County, describing the area as one of the most difficult places for children to grow up in Liberia.
UNICEF’s Country Representative, Andy Brooks, made the disclosure during an official visit to River Cess County. He said children in the county are facing serious challenges that are putting their health, education, and overall well-being at great risk.
“River Cess is one of the most vulnerable counties in Liberia when it comes to child welfare. The data we have gathered reveals troubling trends, especially concerning teenage pregnancy, malnutrition, and school dropouts,” Brooks said.
He revealed that more than half—about 55%—of girls under the age of 19 in River Cess are becoming pregnant, a situation he described as deeply alarming. “This is a crisis that threatens the future of our girls and the development of the entire county,” he said.
The UNICEF official said that because of these challenges, River Cess has been listed as one of the counties needing urgent intervention. He added that UNICEF will soon begin a set of targeted programs to provide support for the most vulnerable children in the area.
One of the biggest issues, he noted, is the growing number of children dropping out of school. Brooks emphasized that addressing this problem requires strong collaboration between UNICEF, the government of Liberia, and local partners.
“We need stronger partnerships with government ministries, civil society, and community leaders to change the lives of these children. We cannot allow this generation to be left behind,” he stressed.
In response, Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Youth Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Bryant McGill, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its support to the Adolescents for Development Project already active in the county.
Minister McGill assured citizens that the government is working to roll out new initiatives that focus on equipping young people with life skills and access to education. These, he said, are key tools for reducing teenage pregnancy and school dropouts.
“Our young people are Liberia’s greatest asset. We must continue to invest in their education, their skills, and their potential. We encourage all children in River Cess to stay in school and remain focused on their future,” McGill said.
As UNICEF prepares to implement its new programs in River Cess, both local and international partners are being urged to join the effort to improve the lives of children in one of Liberia’s most underserved counties.
