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By Nathan Kollie
Smallholder farmers in Bong County have recorded their first successful watermelon harvest following months of recovery from devastating floods, marking a major milestone in their return to agricultural productivity and food security.
The harvest follows timely humanitarian intervention by the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS), with funding support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aimed at restoring the livelihoods of farming communities severely affected by flooding across parts of the county.
On October 13, 2025, the LNRCS, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), distributed agricultural inputs and farming tools to affected farmers under the ECOWAS Humanitarian Response Project. The initiative was implemented through the Strengthening Resilience and Supporting Disaster-Affected Populations in Liberia (SRSDAP) Project, which focuses on helping vulnerable communities recover from natural disasters and build long-term resilience.
Items distributed included wheelbarrows, hoes, shovels, rakes, watering cans, rain boots, and assorted vegetable seeds such as pepper, corn, okra, and watermelon. The assistance targeted smallholder farmers whose farmlands were destroyed or severely damaged by floods, leaving many families without food or income.
On January 20, 2026, the Kerkema Farming Group in Jorquelleh District #2 proudly harvested their first watermelon crop since receiving the support. The harvest represents a significant step toward restoring food production, improving nutrition, and rebuilding livelihoods in the area.
Speaking during the harvest ceremony, Bong County Field Officer of the Liberia National Red Cross Society, Mr. Daniel Dorbor II, described the achievement as clear evidence of the impact of timely and well-coordinated humanitarian assistance. He praised ECOWAS and other partners for their commitment to supporting disaster-affected communities and called for continued collaboration to address the long-term needs of flood victims across Bong County.
“This harvest shows what can be achieved when farmers are given the right support at the right time,” Mr. Dorbor said. “It is not just about relief, but about empowering communities to stand on their own again and sustain their livelihoods.”
He added that the success of the project demonstrates the resilience of the beneficiary communities and highlights the importance of shifting from emergency response to recovery and development-oriented interventions. He encouraged beneficiaries to make full use of the tools and skills provided to increase production and improve household income.
Beneficiaries of the project expressed heartfelt appreciation to ECOWAS, the Liberia National Red Cross Society, and the National Disaster Management Agency, noting that the support has renewed their confidence in farming. Many farmers said the intervention has helped them feed their families, generate income, and regain hope after losing everything to the floods.
Several community members also described the project as timely and life-changing, referring to it as a “beacon of hope” that has restored dignity and opportunity to flood-affected households. They also called for similar interventions to be extended to other vulnerable farming communities across Bong County.
The successful harvest underscores the importance of coordinated humanitarian action in building resilience, strengthening food security, and supporting sustainable recovery for disaster-affected populations in Liberia.
