UC Irvine

Like many low-lying coastal nations, Liberia faces severe threats from sea level rise, coastal erosion, and flooding. These threats are particularly acute for residents of informal slum communities, who are relegated to high-hazard areas that lack basic infrastructure and are frequently overlooked by government officials. In addition, Liberia's limited national institutional capacity has left adaptation to coastal residents and other local stakeholders. This research examines how collective action shapes coastal climate adaptation strategies in two of the largest slum communities in Liberia, West Point and New Kru Town. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, this research investigates how residents experience and respond to coastal hazards, the role of government and civil society actors in supporting adaptation, and barriers to effective collective action. The study reveals disparities in government attention between the two communities, with New Kru Town receiving more infrastructural support than West Point, as well as gaps in government-community collaboration, funding limitations, and fragmented policy frameworks that undermine coastal resilience efforts. Despite these challenges, the communities sustain resilience through a variety of grassroots efforts. This study highlights the need for durable, government-backed solutions and stronger institutional accountability to support frontline communities in low-income, climate-vulnerable urban settings.