THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR FRIDAY, November 7, 2014

News of the Liberian Government’s plans to embark on a diplomatic campaign to bring relief to its citizens in the Diaspora stigmatized due to the Ebola epidemic in the country is today’s most dominant news article in the papers.  The dedication of a 25-bed hospital for the treatment of health workers who may become infected by the Ebola virus disease and the Swedish Government’s approval a 15 Million Swedish Krona, an equivalent of US$2 Million in support of the UN Joint Appeal to respond to the Ebola crisis in Liberia are also among stories dominating our summary of today’s selected local dailies.

DOMINANT STORIES

Gov’t Plans To Rescue Liberians From stigma

The Heritage newspaper-like almost all the other papers- reports that the Liberian Government will embark on a diplomatic campaign to bring relief to its citizens in the Diaspora who are being stigmatized due to the Ebola epidemic in the country. Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan made the disclosure Wednesday at the Ministry of Information daily Ebola press conference held at the ministry in Monrovia. "Disturbing reports emanating from the Diasporas speak of Liberians being stigmatized and discriminated against because of the current Ebola crisis the country is experiencing," Ngafuan said, But he assured that the government will explore all available diplomatic options such as the use of diplomatic notes, ambassadorial missions as well as the community of foreign ministers and leaders to bring relief to Liberians. According to Minister Ngafuan, the Government has over the past months protested unnecessary restrictions and stigmatization through a variety of channels, including direct diplomatic contacts to the countries involved. "While we appreciate the assistance from other governments and partners from across the world in our fight against Ebola, it should be noted that no amount of external assistance can be more appreciated by the Liberian people than to be treated with respect and dignity," the foreign minister indicated.

Related Captions: Gov’t Frowns On Isolation Of Liberians For Ebola(The Inquirer), GoL Frowns On Stigmatization Of Citizens(FOCUS), Gov’t Frowns On Stigmatization Of Liberian Citizens(The News), Liberians Suffer Visa Ban(New Democrat), Gov’t Frowns On Stigmatization Of Liberian(The Informer), Gov’t Frowns On Stigmatization Of Liberians(The New Dawn), Govt Takes Measure To Protect Traveling Liberians-Wants Foreign Authorities Stop Stigmatization Against Ebola Affected Countries(INSIGHT)

Related Story:     

Minister Ngafuan Describes Ebola Outbreak…As ‘Test Of Human Solidarity’

Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan  says the current Ebola outbreak is not only a problem to Liberia and the other countries worst affected, but rather a test of human solidarity amidst human adversity. Minister Ngafuan said as repeatedly stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other experts, the most effective way for  governments around the world to deal with the Ebola menace is to stop the transmission at source by assisting affected countries to quickly eradicate the disease and not the institution of Unnecessary restrictions and measures. “Let it be noted the citizens and residents of Ebola affected countries have already been victimized by the deadly virus…So is unfair and unconscionable for us to be doubly victimized by actions that are not necessarily aimed at attacking the disease but rather attacking the fact that we hold a particular type of passport…” Minister Ngafuan said Wednesday at the Ministry of Information daily Ebola update press conference in Monrovia. He stated that in order to improve the safety of travel and enhance confidence internationally, the Liberian government with capacity from partners including the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) has been implementing robust and strict exit and entry screening processes at all of its ports of entries, in keeping with the United Nations Resolution 2177, The NEWS newspaper reports.

Pres. Sirleaf, Joins U.S. Ambassador Dedicate Field Hospital

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joined U.S. Ambassador Dehorah Malac to dedicate a newly constructed 25-bed field hospital to be used solely for the treatment of healthcare workers who may become infected by the Ebola virus disease. The construction of the field hospital was financed by the American Government and implemented jointly by the U.S. military and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). According to an Executive Mansion release, the dedication of the facility took place in Charlesville, near the Roberts International Airport in Margibi County on Wednesday, November 5, 2015. Speaking during the ceremony, President Sirleaf described the United States of America as a partner who recognizes and responds to the needs of the Liberian people and that the fruit of the partnership reaches out to the people it is meant to benefit, the FOCUS newspaper reports.

Related Captions: U.S. Built Hospital Dedicated …For Healthcare Workers In Liberia(The News), U.S. Clinic In Liberia To Treat Health Workers Who Contract Ebola(The Reporter), US Opens Field Hospital(New Democrat), Ellen, U.S. Envoy Dedicate New 25-Bed Field Hospital For Healthcare Workers(Heritage), 25-Bed Hospital For Healthcare Workers Dedicated(In profile Daily), Health Workers’ ‘Safe Haven’ Dedicated(Daily Observer), Ellen, Malac Dedicate 25-Bed Field Hospital For Healthcare Workers-Acknowledges Strong Liberia-U.S. Partnership(The Informer), Ebola Treatment Hospital Dedicated –Serves As ‘Doctors’ Refuge(The New Dawn)

Sweden Donates $2 Million to UN Joint Appeal

According to the New Dawn newspaper, the Government of Sweden has provided 15 Million Swedish Krona, an equivalent of US$2 Million in support to the UN Joint Appeal to respond to the Ebola crisis in Liberia. A press release issued in Monrovia says at a formal signing ceremony in Monrovia on Wednesday 29 October the Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia, Ms. Ewa Nunes Sorenson, said Sweden was happy and proud to support the people of Liberia through the United Nations.  UNFPA Liberia Officer-In-Charge, Dr. Remi Sogunro, who signed on behalf of the UN said, “the global response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa has increased significantly in recent weeks, but there still remains a huge gap in stopping the spread of the virus, treat those who have been infected and ensure the provision of essential health services”.  “The support from the Government and people of Sweden is the first tangible support to the Joint UN Appeal.

Related Captions: Sweden Donates US$2M to UN-Liberia Ebola Response(Daily Observer), Sweden Donates US$2M to Fight Ebola …In Liberia(The News), Sweden Donates US$2M to UN In Liberia Ebola Response(Heritage)

IFC Launches $450 Million Initiative To Spur Private Sector Trade And Investment In Ebola-Affected Countries

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a package of at least $450 million in commercial financing that will enable trade, investment, and employment in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Daily Observer reports that the private sector initiative will include $250 million in rapid response projects, and at least $200 million in investment projects planned to support post-epidemic economic recovery. The IFC initiative is part of the World Bank Group’s broad effort to provide support during the Ebola epidemic and prepare for economic recovery in the country’s most affected by the crisis.

Related Captions: Major IFC Package For Liberia, Others(FOCUS), In Ebola-Affected Countries: IFC Launches US$450M Initiative To Spur Private Sector Trade & Investment(Heritage), US$450 Million Initiative Launched For Private Sector Trade, Investment In Ebola-Affected Countries(In Profile Daily), IFC Launches US$450M Initiative To Spur Trade And Investment In Ebola-Affected Countries(The Informer), US$450M Initiative Launched For Private Sector Trade(INSIGHT),  IFC Launches US$450M Initiative For Ebola-Affected Countries(The New Dawn)

China-Africa Donates To MRU Countries

China-Africa Development Fund, which is under the China Development Banks (CDB), at a ceremony of donation in Beijing on November 4^th, donating US$50,000 special fund to the Mano-River countries, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone help the three countries to fight the Ebola.  Liberia’s Ambassador to China, Thomas delivered a speech on behalf of the diplomatic corps of the three West African countries, expressing gratitude over the donation, saying that the gesture shows the sincere friendship of the Chinese people towards the African people, the NEWS newspaper reports. 

Related Captions: China-Africa Development Fund Donates To Three West African Countries To Fight Ebola(Daily Observer), China, Africa Stick Together In Ebola Fight(FOCUS)

Sime Darby Donates 5.7 Million Anti-Ebola Gloves To GOL Today

The Sime Darby Foundation (SDF), the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby group is expected to donate 5.7 million rubber gloves valued at US$155,000 to the Government of Liberia today, Friday, to help in the fight against Ebola to the final end. The gloves shipment, which came in three containers, arrived at the Free Port of Monrovia on October 31, 2014. In addition to the gloves, the SDF has also contributed USD157, 220 to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to carry out Ebola awareness programs and campaigns in Liberia. IFRC is working with the Liberian Red Cross Society (LRCS), which is leading efforts to control the spread of the virus through programs to reduce mortality and morbidity related to Ebola, the Daily Observer report.

Related Captions: Sime Darby Donates 5.7 Million Gloves To Ebola Fight(The Inquirer), Sime Darby Donates 5.7 Rubber Gloves…To Fight Ebola(The News), Sime Darby Donates To Ebola Fight(New Democrat), Sime Darby Donates 5.7M Worth Of Rubber Gloves To Fight Ebola In Liberia(Heritage), Sime Darby Donates 5.7 Million Rubber Gloves-To Fight Ebola(In Profile Daily), Sime Darby Donates 5.7 Million Rubber Gloves To Fight Ebola In Liberia(The New Dawn)

OTHER STORIES

Pres. Sirleaf Chairs Special LDA Meeting

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf chaired a special meeting of the Liberia Development Alliance (LDA) brings together government, the private sector and civil society to ensure the implementation of the Agenda for Transformation- the country’s five-year development plan drawn from the “Vision 2030” Development Plan. According to an Executive Mansion release, the meeting was held in the Foreign Ministry’s C. Cecil Dennis auditorium on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. Opening the meeting, President Sirleaf acknowledged the role of all sectors of the Liberian society and international partners in the fight against the Ebola virus disease, FOCUS reports.

Related Caption: Ellen Meets LDA Steering Committee(The Informer). In a related development under the caption “Liberia Asks Investors To Return”, the New Dawn newspaper writes that the Government of Liberia is appealing for the return of investors, companies and contractors that halted operations and left the country due to the Ebola crisis, reminding that “the period of forced-manjure” has ended. Liberia’s Health Minister Dr. Walter Gwenigale, told a recent Development Alliance meeting chaired by President Johnson-Sirleaf that Liberia now has “excess beds”, as vehicles are coming and burial teams can quickly pull out sick people that need medication. 

U.N. Official Urges Vigilance For Zero Ebola Target

The Head of the U.N. Mission for Emergency Ebola Response (UNMEER) Anthony Banbury, has called on Liberians to remain vigilant in combating Ebola if the country is to achieve the zero level goals. Banbury observed that the improvement made in certain quarters around the country does not show that the Ebola virus has been eradicated, especially when neighbors, Sierra Leone and Guinea, are still recording increasing cases of infections. The UNMEER boss made the statement Tuesday at a press conference at the James Spriggs Payne Airfield before departing Liberia after also visiting Sierra Leone and Guinea to assess the Ebola, Informer reports.

Firm Builds US$80k Youth Center In Pleebo

A group of companies has constructed a modern youth center valued at UE$80,000 in Pleebo, Maryland County. SIFCA Group of Companies, which built the Center, comprises the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) and Maryland Oil Palm Plantation operating in Pleebo, Sodoken District. Mr. John Barkemeni, Deputy Manager of CRC, who represented the managements at the dedicatory ceremony recently, turned over the facility to acting Maryland County Superintendent Nathaniel Toe. He said the building was part of the companies’ Corporate Social Responsibility to the people of the District, Heritage writes.