UNICEF is seeking a qualified Civil Society Organization (CSO) to support Mpox outbreak response efforts in Liberia. The initiative focuses on infection prevention and control (IPC), WASH services, child protection, and community engagement, targeting vulnerable populations—especially children and women—in Montserrado County and beyond.

Overview of the Initiative

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is partnering with the Government of Liberia to reduce Mpox transmission and protect vulnerable communities.

The initiative prioritizes strengthening infection prevention and control (IPC), improving WASH services, enhancing child protection systems, and ensuring sustainable community engagement.

Context and Rationale

Liberian children face heightened vulnerability due to:

• Widespread malnutrition

• High rates of preventable diseases (diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, measles)

• Limited access to safe water and sanitation

• Fragile healthcare infrastructure

The Mpox outbreak—particularly severe in Montserrado County—is further straining health systems and disrupting essential services.

Given that the Mpox virus can remain infectious for more than 15 days, strong IPC and WASH measures are critical. Handwashing with soap can reduce transmission risk by up to 50%, yet access remains limited in many communities and healthcare facilities.

Key Focus Areas

Protection (Child Protection & Emergencies)

• Support vulnerable children and caregivers

• Provide GBV-sensitive psychosocial services

• Promote safe environments in schools and communities

WASH and Environment

• Improve sanitation and hygiene infrastructure

• Strengthen WASH services in healthcare facilities

• Install hygiene stations in public spaces

• Provide WASH kits to schools

• Promote hygiene behavior change

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

• Conduct facility risk assessments

• Train healthcare workers on IPC-WASH standard operating procedures

• Support distribution of IPC and WASH supplies

Monitoring, Accountability, and Learning

• Conduct midterm and endline assessments

• Perform monthly monitoring visits

• Document beneficiary feedback

• Facilitate stakeholder review meetings

Implementation Targets

Through this partnership, the selected CSO will:

Healthcare Facilities:

• Strengthen IPC-WASH capacity in 50 healthcare facilities

• Train 330 healthcare workers

• Support distribution of UNICEF-procured supplies

Public Infrastructure:

• Install 15 hygiene stations in public areas

• Provide WASH kits to 100 schools

Community Engagement:

• Train 500 community volunteers

• Conduct hygiene promotion activities reaching at least 105,000 people

• Provide homecare hygiene kits to 200 high-risk households

• Deliver psychosocial support services to 5,000 children and caregivers

Sustainability Measures:

• Support Training of Trainers (ToT) for 30 government trainers

• Apply the WASH FIT approach

• Establish or strengthen 100 peer support groups (hygiene clubs, buddy clubs)

Expected Outcomes

• Reduced Mpox transmission in targeted communities

• Strengthened IPC-WASH capacity in healthcare facilities

• Improved hygiene infrastructure in schools and public spaces

• Increased community adoption of safe hygiene practices

• Enhanced psychosocial support for vulnerable children and caregivers

• Strengthened government capacity for sustainable WASH-IPC systems

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants must be qualified Civil Society Organizations capable of:

• Delivering IPC and WASH interventions

• Supporting child protection in emergencies

• Coordinating with government health systems

• Managing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting frameworks

Why This Initiative Matters

• Protects children and women during a public health emergency

• Prevents healthcare facilities from becoming transmission hotspots

• Builds long-term WASH and IPC resilience

• Strengthens local systems for sustainability and knowledge retention

• Promotes accountability, adaptive learning, and community ownership

FAQs

1. What is the main objective of this initiative?
   To reduce Mpox transmission and protect vulnerable populations—especially children and women—through strengthened IPC, WASH, and protection interventions.

2. Where will the project be implemented?
   Primarily in Montserrado County, Liberia, with broader support to affected areas.

3. How many healthcare facilities will benefit?
   50 healthcare facilities will receive IPC-WASH strengthening support.

4. How many healthcare workers will be trained?
   330 healthcare workers will be trained on IPC-WASH standard operating procedures.

5. What community-level impact is expected?
   At least 105,000 people will be reached through hygiene promotion activities.

6. How does the initiative ensure sustainability?
   Through Training of Trainers, strengthening peer support groups, applying the WASH FIT approach, and reinforcing government capacity.

7. What role will the CSO play?
   The selected CSO will implement IPC-WASH activities, coordinate community engagement, support psychosocial services, conduct monitoring, and ensure accountability throughout the project.

Conclusion

UNICEF’s Mpox response initiative in Liberia represents a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to outbreak control. By integrating IPC strengthening, WASH infrastructure, child protection, psychosocial support, and community engagement, the programme aims to reduce transmission, protect vulnerable populations, and build sustainable resilience within health systems and communities.