Where We Work : Liberia : Monitoring, Research and Evaluation

BRAC Liberia benefits from a regional Research and Evaluation Unit for West Africa that BRAC established in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in July 2009. The unit provides analytical support to BRAC programmes in Sierra Leone and Liberia and is responsible for small scale operational research for the betterment of the various programmes, such as microfinance, health, agriculture and livestock, by giving quick feedback. It also assesses the impact of BRAC’s programmes in West Africa.

The unit comprises five researchers and four data entry operators who are responsible for storing all primary data into the computer following specific guidelines.

Both Sierra Leone and Liberia have poor statistical data as a consequence of the civil war. All information is outdated, whereas the programmes require recent information to serve the community best. The Research and Evaluation Unit assists the programmes in collecting census data from the community to identify the programmes’ target population and ensure data is systemic and reliable. The unit also stores all primary data electronically and provides necessary information to the respective programmes.

In 2009, we completed four research studies and BRAC continues to monitor and evaluate its programmes in the region. Additionally, the Research and Evaluation unit has planned an evaluation study both in Sierra Leone and Liberia to assess the impact after one year of programme activities.