THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014

News of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power’s arrival in Liberia today to demonstrate U.S. support in their efforts to combat the spread of the Ebola virus, the Government of the State of Qatar donation to Liberia and the arrival of more assistance from the Chinese Government are among stories dominating our summary of today’s local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

U.S. Envoy To The UN To Hold High-Level Ebola Talks In Liberia

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power arrives in Liberia on today, October 28, 2014, as part of a tour of the three countries most affected by the Ebola epidemic, to demonstrate U.S. support for their efforts to combat the spread of the disease and to draw attention to the need for increased support from the international community. While in Liberia, Ambassador Power will meet with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and other high ranking Liberian government officials.  Ambassador Power will also discuss international efforts to combat Ebola with the USAID-led Disaster Assistance Response Team, which is overseeing the U.S. overall response to the health emergency and with representatives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense, UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), reports INSIGHT newspaper.

Related Captions: U.S. Envoy To U.N. Arrives Here Today(The News), US Envoy To UN Visits Liberia Today(In Profile Daily), US Ambassador To UN Visits Liberia(The Inquirer)

More Chinese Assistance Package Arrives

The New Dawnnewspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that three Chinese special chartered Boeing 747 cargo planes have arrived at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) in Margibi County outside Monrovia with materials and medical equipment for the construction of Ebola Treatment Units or ETUs. The treatment units once ready, will be operated and staffed by Chinese doctors and nurses assisted by Liberian health workers. A press release from the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia says additional batch of materials and medical equipment will arrive here on Wednesday, 29 October all constituting the fourth round of assistance by the People's Republic of China to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, totaling about US$82 million. Earlier, on Saturday evening, an advance team of 15 specialized personnel arrived from China and was received by Foreign Ministry officials led by Deputy Foreign Minister, Amb. Sylvester Grigsby and Chinese Ambassador accredited to Liberia,  Zhang Yue. The team, which comprised doctor, epidemiologists, designers, engineers and technicians, will prepare for the construction of the ETU, exchange views with officials and experts of Liberia and international partners, and receive professional training. Upon arrival Sunday at the Roberts International Airport, Amb Zhang introduced the team to Minister Grigsby, who welcomed the Chinese to Liberia on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia. "We are very happy that all of our friends are coming in to help us with this situation of fighting Ebola which we need to get out of our country as quickly as possible so that we can move on with material development", the Deputy Foreign Minister told journalists. While commenting on the gains the country is making against the virus with reported declined cases, he however warned that it is not enough for Liberia to rest on its laurels yet. Minister Grigsby also stressed the need for the country to avoid any complacency in the midst of the reported progress in the fight against the virus: "It is not just dealing with the moment. This is a long-term situation because we also have to look beyond this present crisis. As you know in other countries, there have been recurrences. So, their [the Chinese's] presence and their collaborations with us will help us to look ahead with respect to putting in place a robust healthcare delivery system to deal with any eventuality”. During this fourth round of Chinese assistance to Ebola-hit countries, China will provide hospital beds, ambulances, motorcycles, personal protective equipment (PPE's) and other urgently-needed supplies to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and help build and operate the ETU in Liberia. A total of 200 tons of cargo is expected to be brought in by three Boeing 747 special Chinese chartered flights and since the outbreak of the Ebola epidemic, the Asian nation has delivered humanitarian aid swiftly and offered multiple batches of emergency assistance. Prior to the latest assistance, it had offered more than US$40 million in aid, including being among the first country to deliver a huge consignment of PPE's, drugs and other equipment to fight Ebola to Liberia and Sierra Leone, among others. On the other hand, China also announced that it will donate US$6 million to the UN Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund to support the efforts being made by the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER).

Related Captions: China’s ETU Team, Equipment in Liberia(The News), China’s ETU Team, Materials Arrive(In Profile Daily)

Qatar Donates Seven Ambulances To Liberia

The Government of the State of Qatar has delivered seven ambulances to the Government of Liberia to boost the Liberian health care delivery and enhance the fight against the Ebola virus. TheINSIGHT newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that the donation which comes at the critical time when Liberia and the international community are intensifying the fight against the deadly Ebola disease was received by His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim K. Nyei, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the State of Qatar. The release stated that one of the ambulances containing the medical supplies and spare parts have been delivered at the Liberian Embassy in Qatar for inspection while relevant documents for shipment are being processed by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State  of Qatar. Meanwhile, several assorted medical supplies will be available in all seven ambulances for shipment to Liberia. Liberian Ambassador on behalf of the Liberian Government and people expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to Qatar for their very important contribution to the fight against the deadly virus. Ambassador Nyei also noted that Liberia lauded the fundamental role played by the Government of the State of Qatar since the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia and applauded Qatar for the continuous humanitarian assistance to Liberia.

Related Caption: Qatar Donates Seven Ambulances To Liberia(Heritage)

As Reports Of Ebola Infections Wanes Down, U. S Completes 12 Out Of 17 ETUs Prez Sirleaf Lauds Outgoing Commander Darryl Williams

Amidst reports of drastic reduction in the infection rate of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, which is being evidenced by the low number of cases in the various Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) around the country, the United States- led Military Operation United Shield (MOUS) has disclosed that 12 out of the 17 ETUs to be constructed across Liberia are completed or near completion. The 12 ETUs, which have been completed or nearing completion, are located sites in Tubmanburg, Bomi County; Senje, Grand Cape Mount County; Buchanan, Grand Bassa County and the southeastern region of the country.  Major General Williams made the disclosure when he paid a farewell visit with and courtesy call on President Sirleaf last Friday, at her Foreign Affairs office.  During that occasion, he introduced his successor, Major General Gary Volesky, to the Liberian leader, an Executive Mansion statement said, according to the Daily Observer.

Related Captions: U.S. Army Major General Bids Farewell To Ellen(Heritage), U.S. Army Major Gen. Darryl Williams Replaced-Bids Pres. Sirleaf Farewell(INSIGHT), General Williams Bids Farewell-After Being Replaced(In Profile Daily), U.S. Army Major General Darryl Williams Bids Farewell-To President Sirleaf;  Major General  Gary Volesky Introduces As Replacement(FrontPage Africa), US General Ends Duty In Liberia(FOCUS)

ArcelorMittal Donates Drugs In Grand Bassa

ArcelorMittal Liberia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Liberian Government Hospital for the donation of drugs for a three month period. Thanking ArcelorMittal Liberia for the partnership in the fight against Ebola, the County Health Officer, Dr. Joseph L. Kekula said the county has partnered with the company from the beginning of the Ebola outbreak in March, and that this gesture represents the ongoing partnership.  He said the company procured the drugs with the understanding that after three months the situation would be assessed regarding the way forward. According to Dr. Ben Kanwee, Medical Director of ArcelorMittal Liberia Hospital in Buchanan, he and his team will continue to engage the county to further ensure that their needs are met, reports the FOCUS newspaper.

Related Captions: ArcelorMittal Liberia Partners With Grand Bassa County Hospital Through Drugs Donations(Heritage), ArcelorMittal, Grand Bassa Hospital Sign MOU(The News), ArcelorMittal Liberia Donates Drugs To G/Bassa Hospital(INSIGHT)

OTHER STORIES

President Sirleaf Congratulates Brazilian President

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated Her Excellency Mrs. Dilma Rouseff, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on her re-election as President of that country.   In her message to her Brazilian counterpart , President Johnson Sirleaf on behalf of Liberia conveyed her hearty congratulations and best wishes to the Government and People of Brazil and added that Mrs. Rouseff’s  re-election as President of Brazil is undoubtedly  an affirmation of the continued confidence the People of Brazil reposed in her visionary and distinguished  leadership to lead them. The Liberian leader hoped that Madam Rouseff’s second term in office will be marked by even greater achievements at home and abroad. President Johnson Sirleaf stated that her Government looks forward to deepening cooperation between the two countries and peoples and at the same time expressed confidence that the tie of friendship between both nations will continue to grow as the two governments forge common front for the promotion of international peace, security and development. She then prayed that the Almighty God will grant the Brazilian President wisdom, foresight and good health to successfully lead the people of Brazil, reports the Heritage newspaper.

Pres. Sirleaf Hails Austria On 59^th National Day

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Austria on the occasion of that country’s 59^th National Day. In her letter to the Federal President of Austria Dr. Heinz Fischer, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, noted with satisfaction that Austria has served as a role model of security, stability and global peace for more than half a century, especially through the United Nations, FOCUS reports

House Approves US$62.31 Million To Fight Ebola, Senate May Concur Today

The House of Representatives of the 53^rd National Legislature on Thursday, October 23, during its 15^thday sitting of the Extraordinary Session, approved two Loan Agreements to the tone of US$62.31 million, as additional funding to fight the Ebola virus. The Members of the House’s Plenary unanimously voted for the passage of the Loan Agreements after Deputy Chief Clerk J. Sayfura Geplay read the advisory from the Committees on Ways, Means and Finance and Judiciary to support the Ebola Sector Budget (ESB), writes the Daily Observer.

World Bank Health Expert Upbeat On Efforts to Combat Ebola

According to the FrontPage Africa newspaper, a visiting World Bank official has expressed optimism about the ongoing construction of Ebola Treatment facilities in Liberia as the international community rallies support to fight the worse ever outbreak of the deadly virus in the West African Sub region. Dr. Tim Evans - Senior Director, Health, Nutrition and Global Practice is currently visiting Liberia following a tour of several Ebola treatment centers in Monrovia and its environs, including the ELWA treatment centers, old Ministry of Defense unit, amongst others said he is impressed with the way the construction of the Ebola treatment facilities are taking place in Liberia.

Norwegian Girl Guides Give US$10,000 To Liberia Girl Guides For Ebola Fight

The Norwegian Girl Guides Association (NGGA) has donated to the Liberian Girl Guides Association (LGGA) US$10,000 to aid its Liberian counterpart in contributing essential items to their members and others affected by the Ebola epidemic. The money, according to LGGA Commissioner Toniah Wiles, is being used to buy relief items, which are being distributed to its members in Monrovia and around the country, Daily Observer reports.

Resign Or Be Dismissed-Ellen Tells Qualified Senatorial Candidates In Gov’t

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has reiterated her call to officials of government contesting in the pending special senatorial election to resign their various positions in the government. Re-echoing her earlier call, President Sirleaf in her usual Simple Liberian English Interview with UNMIL Torwon Slunteh-Brown, last week, maintained that she still stands by what she said before when officials in government expressed interest in the poll. The Liberian leader said failure on the part of those officials to do so she would be left with no alternative, but to dismiss them, the Inquire newspaper reports.

Air La Cote D’Ivoire Landed With Stranded Liberians

Over one hundred Liberians, including government and other officials who have been stranded in Ghana and La Cote D’Ivoire flew home last Sunday on board the maiden flight into Liberia by Air La Cote D’Ivoire.  Mr. Randolph C.J. Cooper, the Chief Executive Officer of the Liberia Travel Service, expressed unbridled optimism on the continued top grade performance of Air La Cote D’Ivoire in providing vital commercial flights to and from the sub region in the wake of continuing reluctance by other western carriers to fly into Liberia, In Profile Daily reports.

US Journalist Gets Successful Ebola Treatment

An American video journalist who recovered from Ebola at an Omaha hospital left the facility Wednesday afternoon and is heading home to Rhode Island, a hospital spokesman said. Ashoka Mukpo, who contracted the virus while working in Liberia as a freelance cameraman for NBC and other media outlets, was released from the Nebraska medical Center’s Bio Containment Unit around 9a.m.   He spent several hours meeting with staff members who treated him and left the hospital complex in the afternoon, spokesman Taylor Wilson said, FOCUS reports.

Women Launch “Trash Ebola” Campaign

A women group, Liberia Young Women Initiatives (LYWI) has launched “Trash Ebola Project” in Monrovia. The Executive Director for Liberia Young Women Initiatives (LYWI) Madam Catherine D. Nyenawo, said the campaign is to rescue and save humanity from Ebola. Speaking on Friday, 24 October during the launch of the ‘Trash Ebola Project’ on the compound of the United Methodist Church on 13th Street in Sinkor, Monrovia the LYWI Executive Director called on young people, especially young women across the country to ensure that Liberia is safe from the deadly disease that has claimed thousands of lives and ravaged families, writes the New Dawnnewspaper.