President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., of Liberia has urged for increased efforts to address the challenges faced by street children in Liberia and globally. He spoke at a high-level discussion on “Advancing Universal Primary Education for Street-Connected Children amid Climate Change, Poverty, and Conflict,” held at the A&O Sherman Office on Lexington Avenue in New York.
The event was organized by Street Child and Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, led by Minister Gbeme Kollie Horace. It emphasized the urgent need to support vulnerable children living on the streets.
President Boakai shared concerning statistics from a 2022 joint assessment by the Government of Liberia and UNICEF. The “Roadmap on Street Children Situation” estimates that over 366,000 children in Liberia live in street situations, with Montserrado County alone accounting for 42% of this number. These children lack basic rights such as access to education, healthcare, and safety and are susceptible to exploitation, malnutrition, and violence.
He also discussed the “SUPPORT A CHILD, SAVE THE FUTURE” initiative launched on August 28, 2024. This program aims to tackle child poverty and homelessness by providing education, healthcare, and family support to street children.
“These children are not mere statistics. They are young lives lived in the shadows, struggling to survive with no access to the education and safety every child deserves,” President Boakai stated.
In response to this crisis, the Liberian government has developed a five-year project targeting Montserrado County initially. The goal is to remove 7,698 children from the streets and integrate them into schools while empowering caregivers through small business and agricultural initiatives.
The President also commended Street Child International’s commitment to enrolling 50,000 children in childcare and family-strengthening programs over six years. He called on international partners to join forces in addressing this crisis: “We must rally around these children providing practical solutions and unwavering support. Together we can secure a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
The event underscored Liberia’s dedication to addressing child poverty despite broader socio-economic challenges exacerbated by climate change conflict and poverty.
