WORKING PAPER

Innovative Financing in Early Recovery: The Liberia Health Sector Pool Fund - Working Paper 288

by
Jacob Hughes
,
Amanda Glassman
and
Walter Gwenigale
February 08, 2012

In post-conflict Liberia, the National Health Plan set out a process for transitioning from emergency to sustainability under government leadership.

The Liberia Health Sector Pool Fund, which consists of DfID, Irish Aid, UNICEF, and UNHCR, was established to fund this plan and mitigate this transition by increasing institutional capacity, reducing the transaction costs associated with managing multiple donor projects, and fostering the leadership of the Liberian Health Ministry by allocating funds to national priorities.

In this paper, Jacob Hughes, Amanda Glassman, and Walter Gwenigale discuss the design of the health pool fund mechanism, assess its functioning, compare the pooled fund to other aid mechanisms used in Liberia, and look into the enabling conditions, opportunities, and challenges of the pool fund.

CITATION

Hughes, Jacob, Amanda Glassman, and Walter Gwenigale. 2012. Innovative Financing in Early Recovery: The Liberia Health Sector Pool Fund - Working Paper 288. Center for Global Development.

DISCLAIMER & PERMISSIONS

CGD's publications reflect the views of the authors, drawing on prior research and experience in their areas of expertise. CGD is a nonpartisan, independent organization and does not take institutional positions. You may use and disseminate CGD's publications under these conditions.

More Reading

Sunset over an African village with palm trees.
Blog Post

Bipartisan or Bust: Reform Principles for the Next Generation of US Foreign Assistance

Erin Collinson
and
Cindy Huang
July 01, 2026
Informal worker Martha Kotey sells fabrics at Makola market
Blog Post

Cash Has to Fill the Gap in the Poorest Places on Earth.

Nick Allardice
and
Stefan Dercon
July 01, 2026
Two community members exchanging a USAID branded jug in Africa
Blog Post

What Does Philanthropy’s Global Footprint Tell Us About Its Role in a Changing Aid Landscape?

Biniam Bedasso
June 09, 2026
Vegetable farmer watering plants at the organic farm in Boung Phao Village, Lao PDR.
CGD NOTE

ODA Eligibility Changes Should Lower Graduation Criteria and Reflect Purchasing Power

Euan Ritchie
and
Charles Kenny
June 02, 2026