THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

Foreign Minister, Augustine Ngafuan’s advise for the global community to act robustly and speedily in tackling the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa, the arrival of the first Shipment of U.S. Military Ebola Response and the Clinton Global Initiative’s 5.9 million medical aid donation to Liberia and Sierra Leone are among stories dominating our summary of the local dailies for today, Monday, September 22, 2014.

DOMINANT STORIES

Min. Ngafuan Urges Robust And Speedy Global Response In Ebola Battle

The INSIGHT newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as sayingLiberia's Foreign Minister; Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has urged the global community to act robustly and speedily in tackling the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa. Minister Ngafuan noted that the global community cannot remain passive and allow terrifying predictions on the number of persons to be infected by the Ebola virus in the coming weeks and months to come to pass. (The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated some three weeks ago that 20,000 persons run the risk of being infected (half of whom may come from Liberia alone), while US President Barack Obama has expressed fear that if the current trend continues, hundreds of thousands of people may be infected with the virus. "We cannot sit idly and watch, as we would do watching a movie on our TV screens. The sobering reality is that we are not watching a pre-recorded movie with a pre-determined climax.  We, Ebola affected countries, as well as countries, institutions and individuals of good conscience across the globe, are all actors in this evolving plot and can affect the ultimate outcome based on what we do or fail to do.  It would be tragically shameful if we failed to act quickly, robustly, and concertedly in putting an end to the spread of this deadly disease", Foreign Minister Ngafuan asserted. The Liberian Foreign Minister's appeal was contained in his statement delivered Thursday, September 18, 2014 at an open debate of the UN Security Council  in New York, the United States of America on the topic: "Peace And Security In Africa: Ebola".  Turning to the US' assistance, Minister Ngafuan, on behalf of the Liberian Government and Liberian people offer deep gratitude to President Obama and the people of the United States for what he described as the heart-warming announcement that the US Government will take a host of bold and concrete initiatives, including the deployment of engineers, military and medical personnel and equipment to the region to establish new treatment units and to train national staff. He noted that as a major power, the United States has made a major move. He then hoped that new, additional and complementary contributions will be forthcoming to the affected region in true expression of international solidarity.

Related Captions: Ngafuan Urges Robust, Speedy Global Ebola Response (FOCUS), Ngafuan Urges Speedy Global Response (In Profile Daily), At UN: Foreign Minister Ngafuan Urges Robust Ebola Response(FrontPage Africa)

First Shipment of U.S. Military Response To Ebola Arrives

A C 17 U.S. military aircraft arrived in Liberia Thursday with the first shipment of increased U.S. military equipment and personnel for the anti-Ebola fight, which was promised by President Barack Obama in a speech September 16 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. The cargo included a heavy duty forklift, a drill set and generator and a team of 7 military personnel, including engineers and airfield specialists. The personnel are here to quickly assess the payload and stability of the airport runways. The forklift will be used to offload incoming supplies. Additional large military aircraft, transporting more personnel and supplies, are expected to arrive in Monrovia in the coming days. Major General Darryl Williams, in his capacity as Commander of U.S. Army Africa and Operation United Assistance, has been in Liberia since Tuesday, meeting with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other senior Liberian government officials to discuss the stepped up U.S. response to the Ebola crisis. On Thursday, Maj. Gen. Williams and U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac toured several sites where more Ebola Treatment Units are being constructed. The sites include the Defense Ministry building in Congo Town and Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex, FrontPageAfrica reports.

Related Captions: First Shipment of U.S. Military Ebola Response Arrives(Heritage), U.S. Military Response to Ebola 1^st Shipment Arrives-GOL Needs US$375m To Fight Ebola; Opens Largest Treatment Center at Island Clinic(The Inquirer), 1^st U.S. Military Cargo Plane Arrives (Daily Observer), US’ Direct Relief Airlifts Ebola Materials to Liberia-Terms it ‘Largest Single Private Airlift of Medical Commodities’(Daily Observer)

Clinton Donates Medical Aid To Liberia And Sierra Leone

The Clinton Global Initiative has donated 100 tons of emergency medical aid to Liberia and Sierra Leone at a value of 5.9 million United States Dollars. The total cargo of 370 pallets will be distributed among the Ministries of Health, National Drug Services, and partner organizations in both countries as well as to the US Centers for Disease Control offices in Liberia and Sierra Leone. According to a dispatch from the Liberian Mission in New York, the items in the Clinton Global Initiative’s donation include 2.8 million surgical and exam gloves, 170,000 coverall gowns, 120,000 masks, 40,000 liters of pre-mixed oral rehydration solution and 9.8 million defined daily doses of essential medications (generic).  The quantities of personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, masks) included on the flight are sufficient to supply 280 health workers for one year, based on the current requirements and utilization estimates developed in Liberia. A ceremony to mark the shipment of the emergency medical items was held on Saturday, September 20,2014 at the John F. Kennedy International Airport and was attended by high-level dignitaries from both Liberia and Sierra Leone including Foreign Minister Augustine KpeheNgafuan and Liberia’s Ambassador accredited to the United States Jeremiah Sulunteh. Making brief remarks during the ceremony, Foreign Minister Ngafuan thanked the Clinton Global Initiative and Direct Relief on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the people of Liberia. Minister Ngafuan expressed thanks to the staff of the Liberian Consulate in New York for helping to coordinate and organized the event, the New Dawn reports.

Related Captions: Clinton Initiative Donates US$5.9M Medical Aid-To Liberia, Sierra Leone (In Profile Daily), Clinton Foundation Donates US$5.9Million…Medical Aid to Liberia, Sierra Leone(The News), Clinton Donates 5.9M Worth of Emergency Medical Aid to Liberia and Sierra Leone(The New Dawn)

150 Ebola Treatment Beds Dedicated

As part of efforts to contain the rapid spread of the deadly Ebola virus, the government of Liberia on Sunday, September 21, 2014 dedicated 150 beds to the Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) at the Island Clinic in Tweh Farm. Speaking at the dedicatory ceremony, assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services Tolbert Nyenswah said the construction of the facility was part of government’s plans to increase more treatment units across the country to allow Ebola victims seek proper medications,FOCUS reports.

Related Captions: Ebola Treatment Unit Dedicated at Island Clinic Community(Heritage), Over US$375M Needed to Fight Ebola-As Gol Opens 150-Bed Island Clinic Ebola Treatment Unit(Daily Observer), $375M to Fight Ebola(FrontPage Africa)

375 Million Needed To Fight Ebola – Says Finance Minister

The Liberian Government has opened that the amount of 375 Million United States Dollars is needed to battle the deadly Ebola Virus Disease out of Liberia. This was made known yesterday by Finance Minister, Amara Konneh at a formal open of the Island Clinic Ebola Treatment Unit on the Bushrod Island. Finance Minister Konneh said the Liberian Government does not have the money to fight the killer germ, Women Voices reports.

Related Caption: Over US$375 Million Needed To Fight Ebola – As GOL Opens 160-Bed Island Clinic Ebola Treatment Unit (Daily Observer)

EU Made US$10M Budgetary Support…To Liberia

An envoy of the European Union has pledged his organization’s support for the economic recovery of Liberia. Mr. Marcus Cornaro, Deputy Director General for Development Cooperation at the European Commission told journalists Friday that the EU, in additional support to the Ebola fight has made a payment of seven million Euros (approximately US$10 million) to the Government of Liberia as direct budgetary support, the NEWS reports.

Related Caption: More Good Will Towards Liberia, USAID, EU, Germany Aid Ebola(FrontPage Africa), EU Vows Continues Support To Battle Ebola(Women Voices), EU Boosts Ebola Fight     (), EU Promises to Remain Engaged in Ebola Response(The Inquirer), USAID Rescues Health Workers(New Democrat), US Pump US$5M to Pay Health Workers(Daily Observer). In a related story captioned“Europe Aid Injects Additional 5M (EU) In Ebola Fight”, the INSIGHT newspaper reports that the European Union (EU) says it would rather the world help isolate the Ebola virus disease rather than isolate the affected countries. According to an Executive Mansion release, the Deputy Director-General - Directorate-General Development and Cooperation of EuropeAid (DEVCO), Marcus Conaro, speaking when he met with President Sirleaf during a courtesy call, said this is the time to demonstrate international partnership by giving all the help rather than sitting to witness the death of more people. He disclosed that as part of the EU’s intervention in the Ebola fight, the body will inject an additional five million Euros (€5 million) and have already met with the Ugandan General heading the African Union deployment to affected countries, Major-General Dr. Julius Faeki Okettathe, about how it is engaging the Liberian Government to eradicate the killer disease.  The Deputy Director-General – Directorate-General Development and Cooperation –Europe Aid (DEVCO) was accompanied by head of EU Mission in Liberia, Ambassador Attilo Paciffici.

Related Captions: Pres. Sirleaf Meets Top Europe Aid Officials(FOCUS), Top EU Envoy Meets Liberian Authorities To Deepen Fight Against Ebola(In Profile Daily)

Ellen Thanks ArcelorMittal Liberia & Its Healthcare Workers

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in her tour of Buchanan’s healthcare facilities Thursday,September 18, 2014 paid a visit to the ArcelorMittal Hospital in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County where she met with hospital staffs, headed by Dr. Ben Kanwee. In her brief talk to the staff, the President shared her concerns about the current health crisis in the Country, especially about how seriously it has impacted healthcare workers, who are at the frontline in the fight against the Ebola virus. Dr. Kanwee briefed the President on the services offered by the hospital, along with the technical support from his International SOS (ISOS) colleagues, including infectious disease expert, Monia Sayah, who has worked with Ebola disease outbreaks in the Congo and Guinea. Dr. Kanwee also used the opportunity to stress the cooperation between his team and the county health team, led by Dr. Joseph Kerkula, the Heritage reports.

Related Caption: Ellen Visits Health Facilities In Bassa ..Warns Would-Be ‘Ebola Rogues(The Inquirer), Pres. Sirleaf Thankful To ArcelorMittal And Its Healthcare Workers(INSIGHT)

OTHER STORIES

UN Prepares Vaccine For Ebola

The New Democrat newspaper reports that a United Nations-led team is coming to Liberia to assess the response to the Ebola virus, while a senior UN health official said a vaccine could the ready by the end of this year. The 15-person UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team comprises experts from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), European Union and the Liberian Government. In an emergency meeting last week the Security Council declared the outbreak a threat to peace and security and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had announced the establishment of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) to stop the outbreak treat the infected, ensure essential services preserve stability and prevent further outbreaks.

Related Caption: Ebola Claims UN Security Council’s Attention(Daily Observer)

MOH Official Sees Ebola End In ‘Shortest Possible Time’

Assistant Health Minister for Preventive Services, Tolbert Nyenswah, has said there still remains hope for the Ebola Virus to be eradicated from Liberia in the shortest possible time. He made the statement against the background that Liberia is now receiving a boost and support from the U.S. government and international community, FOCUS reports.

700k Meals: IOWA Outreach Sends Ebola Food Relief To Liberia

Des Moines, IA – Responding to the Ebola crisis and the request of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Liberia, Iowa-based Outreach, Inc., will ship via sea freight the first 300,000 of over 700,000 meals to the Republic of Liberia for patients in the Ebola Treatment Centers on Thursday September 18, 2014. According to Binyah C. Kesselly, Commissioner/CEO of the Liberia Maritime Authority and Board Chairman of the Liberia Airport Authority states, “These meals will ensure that our citizens who are afflicted with this deadly disease stand a fighting chance at survival.” The Government of Liberia is also currently arranging in partnership with US based partners and international organizations for the air and sea freight shipment of the remaining 400,000 meals from Des Moines, Iowa. The meals donated through Outreach, Inc., will feed 1000 patients for a period of 6 months and provide the greatly needed relief during one of the world’s most deadly epidemic crisis. The request for meals and nutritional assistance was made by a Des Moines resident, Walter Gwenigale, Jr. on behalf of the Liberian people and the Ministry of Health. Des Moines based, Lutheran Church of Hope and Minneapolis based Global Health Ministries partnered in supporting the cost of shipment of the first consignment of donated meals,  FrontPage Africa writes.

Chinese Embassy Makes Donation In Congo Town

China-Liberia relationship officially began in 1977 but was broken on multiple occasions only to be further cemented in August of 2009, thus allowing significant amount of both investment and foreign aid from China to Liberia. The community is headed by Madam Annie Gongloe is thankful to timely response, which is geared toward providing Ebola related awareness as well as youth sensitization to help curb the outbreak of the virus. An official expressed thanks and gratitude for the cordial working atmosphere currently existing between the community and the embassy, INSIGHT reports.

UNFPA Donates Supplies To C.H. Rennie Hospital

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) has donated an assortment of drugs and other essential medical supplies to the C.H. Rennie Hospital in Kakata, Margibi County. Presenting the items Thursday, UNFPA Liberia Representative Health Field Assistant, Lincoln Morris, said the UN agency was concerned about mothers who have to go through difficulties to give birth, especially in the wake of the Ebola virus, to get proper treatment. Receiving the items, which include medicines, protective tool kits and surgical gloves, the Acting County Health Officer of Margibi County, Dr. Adolphus Yeiah, thanked the UNFPA for the donation and assured that they would be used for the intended purpose, FOCUS reports.

107 Quarantined In Cape Mount County

One hundred and seven persons have been quarantined in Grand Cape Mount County in accordance with the Ebola regulations of the Ministry of Health. The head of the County Health Team (CHT), Dr. Julius Garbo, made the disclosure recently during the county Ebola Task Force coordination meeting held in Sinje Town. Dr. Garbo said out of this number, 23 are in the capital Robertsport, 34 in Damballa, 17 in Jenewonde, 11 in Beneja, 20 in Bonzudua and 2 in Boma. The county health team official said those who have been placed on the quarantine list will be observed for 21 days in accordance with the health ministry Ebola guidelines. He said during the 21-day period, those who will not fall sick will be discharged, while those who will fall sick will be given additional 21 days of observation, INSIGHTreports.

Pregnant Woman, 2 Kids Die In Fire

The New Dawnnewspaper writes that a pregnant woman and her two children have died in a fire incident at the Salala Rubber Corporation in Margibi County.  The victim, identified as Martha Thomas, reportedly died in a local hospital a day after the incident.  She was the mother of two other children, Big Ma Barkon and Great Barkon, who both also died in the fire. The fire outbreak, which occurred recently, also injured two persons in the vicinity, including Issatu Harmon and Ben Massah. 

Related Caption: Pregnant Woman Children Killed in Fire-Leaves Two Severely Wounded at SRC Plantation(The New Republic)