–On Finance, and Protection Against Exploitation and Abuse
MONROVIA – The Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP), in partnership with UNICEF Liberia, has trained its staff on critical donor fund management and safeguards against sexual exploitation and abuse. The January 20, 2026, workshop marks a renewed commitment to accountability as the organizations embark on a new five-year program cycle.
Held at the LCP headquarters in Capitol Bye Pass, the one-day session focused on the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). The training aimed to mitigate financial risks and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities, particularly women and children, in UNICEF-supported programs.
In a keynote address, LCP Executive Director Amb. Julie Endee described the training as a “privilege and a second chance” to align the organization’s systems with international standards. She urged staff to uphold the highest levels of integrity and patriotism.
“This training is not something to be taken lightly,” Amb. Endee stated. “If we fail to take advantage of this opportunity, we may not be given such a chance again.”
She emphasized that protecting beneficiaries from harm is a core national duty, not solely UNICEF’s obligation. “It is unacceptable for any form of exploitation to occur in the field. Every staff member has a duty to ensure that communities, especially women and girls, are protected,” she asserted.
Amb. Endee also highlighted operational accountability, reminding field staff that partner-donated assets, from laptops to notepads, represent a sacred trust. She confirmed LCP’s commitment to operating as a cashless agency in compliance with donor requirements.
Facilitating the training, UNICEF Liberia’s Program Officer for HACT, Risk, and Compliance, Prince Nipeh, underscored the twin pillars of financial accountability and beneficiary safety.
“UNICEF has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. This training ensures that both staff and beneficiaries understand their rights and responsibilities under PSEA,” Nipeh said.
He emphasized the vital role of local civil society organizations like LCP in reaching communities outside Monrovia. “We want to ensure that funds disbursed in hard-to-reach areas are properly managed and that gaps related to sexual exploitation are addressed,” he noted, reaffirming UNICEF’s commitment to the five-year partnership.
For LCP Assistant Programme Officer George Caulane, the workshop served as both a refresher and an essential guide. “The HACT training clearly shows us what UNICEF expects. Accountability is one of our internal policies, and this aligns our practices with international standards,” Caulane told *Women Voices Newspaper*.
He added that the strengthened systems would ensure services are delivered efficiently and with dignity to beneficiaries. Caulane applauded UNICEF’s support and expressed optimism for the partnership’s future impact.
The training is a cornerstone of UNICEF’s broader strategy to fortify partner compliance and safeguard beneficiary welfare across Liberia. The long-standing collaboration between UNICEF and the Liberia Crusaders for Peace, dating to 1997, will now focus on joint programs with key government ministries over the next five years, aiming for sustainable impact in communities nationwide.
