THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia.

NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2014

The Dutch Government’s 3.6 million Euros worth of materials and supplies donation to Liberia, the World Bank Group’s US$115 million additional support to Liberia’s Ebola fight targeting zero cases and the dedication of the Chinese constructed ETU at the S.K.D. Sports Complex in Paynesville are among stories dominating our summary for today.

DOMINANT STORIES

EU Offloads Anti-Ebola Cargo - Cautions Against High Risk Re-Infection

The New Dawn newspaper reports that the Dutch government and eight other European Union member states have presented a cargo of anti-Ebola materials valued 3.6 million Euros, including two fully-equipped ambulances, laboratory, jumper delivery beds, body beds, protective suits, goggles, respiratory masks, and rubber boots, among others. Notwithstanding the progress made against Ebola in Liberia, the Netherlands Ambassador to Liberia Hans Docter, warns that the disease is still going on in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Malia, “[and] so the risk of re-infection remains large”. Presenting the consignment ducked at the Freeport of Monrovia on board a Dutch vessel “Karel Doorman” on Monday morning, 24 November Ambassador Docter said, “We can only rest all of us once Ebola has been completely eradicated from the region”. The Netherlands envoy told President Sirleaf that upon discharging the ship, it was returning to Europe to pick up a second cargo of anti-Ebola items for the three countries to be back in Monrovia around the Christmas seasons. For her part, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf thanked all partners here, and particularly the Netherlands government and people for the consignment and the commitment made to bring in a trade and investment mission that she described as “final part of our process” to begin an economic recovery after treating the sick and improving the health care system.

Related Captions: GOL Receives €3.6 M Worth Of Anti-Ebola Materials, Supplies From European Union(Heritage), Fight Against Ebola Gets Boost(The Inquirer), Dutch Naval Vessel Docks In Monrovia(FrontPage Africa), Ebola Out By December (New Democrat), GOL Receives €3.6 Million Worth Of Anti-Ebola Materials From EU(The Analyst), GOL Receives Donation Of €3.6M Worth Of Anti-Ebola Materials(INSIGHT)

World Bank Gives Additional U.S$115 Million for Ebola Fight, Others

The World Bank has signed an additional US$115M financing grant agreement of the Ebola Emergency Response Project with the Government of Liberia (GoL). The fund will not only be used for the fight against the virus, but also for the restoration of key health services in the country. Official ceremony marking the signing of the grant between the World Bank and the Liberian government was held Monday, November 24, 2014 in Monrovia. Speaking at the signing ceremony, World Bank's Country Manager to Liberia, Madam Inguna Dabroja, said the US$115M grant resources will support the Liberian government to achieve zero cases. She mentioned that the Ebola Emergency Response Project will support the Ebola response project in Liberia. Also speaking, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr. Amara Mohammed Konneh, said the grant is aims to contribute to the control of the virus outbreak and ensure the availability of selected health services. Minister Konneh pointed out that the grant would also go towards the establishment and operationalization of EVD community care centers/units and treatment centers, as well as provide basic and comprehensive care packages for EVD patients, according to the Heritage newspaper.

Related Captions: World Bank, GOL Sign US$115M Grant Deal -To Directly Support Ebola Response in Liberia(Daily Observer), World Bank Puts Additional US$115Million in Ebola Fight(INSIGHT)

SKD ETU To Be Dedicated Today

A construction company, CNQC, says it will turn over for dedication the Chinese Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) being constructed at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville today. A local senior staff of the Chinese construction company, Amadou Kamara, speaking to reporters Monday said the ETU is equipped with highly functional and supporting facilities. He said the 100-bed hospital is expected to be manned by at least, 160 specialized medical personnel from China in collaboration with their Liberian counterparts, reports the News newspaper.

Related Captions: Chinese ETU Ready For Dedication(The New Dawn), Chinese Construction Turns ETU Over Today(Daily Observer), Chinese Constructed ETU To Be Dedicated Today(In Profile Daily)

Ellen Declares November 25 As International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women

The Heritage newspaper quotes a Foreign Ministry release as saying that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Tuesday, November 25, 2014, through December 10, 2014, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence to be observed throughout the Republic of Liberia as Working Holidays. President Johnson Sirleaf calls on all Ministries Agencies, Local and International Organizations, the Children's Parliament, the United Nations System and the General Public to join the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in Collaboration with the Gender Based Violence Taskforce, Women Organizations, and Men's Groups to plan and implement appropriate programs befitting the occasion. The 16 Days Activism Against Gender Violence will highlight other significant dates such as November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, December 3, International Day of Disabled Persons, December 6, Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, and December 10, International Human Rights Day. The 2014 Campaign will be celebrated under the Global Theme: "Call to Action: Intersection Between Violence Against Women and Health". and National Theme: " For the Health of  Women and The Nation, Take Action To End Ebola and Violence Against Women".

Related Caption: Gender Minister Launches 16-Day Activism Today(The Inquirer), Ellen Declares November 25 As International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women (In Profile Daily)

Catholic Hospital Re-Opens With ‘8 Beds’ For ‘Stay-In Patients’ -After the Death of 9 Staff

The St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital, which was rocked by the Ebola crisis, officially reopened yesterday after about three months of closure, restricting its health care delivery to pregnant women and children. The Acting Administrator of the Roman Catholic-run institution, Dr. Bernard I. Benda, told newsmen Monday that the hospital opened its doors with only eight beds for inpatients in the maternity ward, amidst their assessment of the health crisis in the fight of the world’s deadliest virus, Ebola. Dr. Benda said the remaining 16-bed capacity and the pediatric ward will be opened to its full pre-Ebola capacity over a period of time, details of which will be subsequently announced, along with the relevant fees and procedures that may be required.

It may be recalled that the St.  Joseph Catholic Hospital shut its doors in July when a total of nine staff, including four missionaries and five Liberians, died. They included Rev. Fr. Miguel Pajares, Rev. Bro. Patrick Nshamdze, Rev. Br. George Combey and Rev. Sr. Chantal Mutuameme. Others were Layson Wilson, Mrs. Tetee Dogba, Ms. Lanrene Togba, Mr. Dominic Wesseh and Mr. Richard Kellie, the Daily Observer reports.

Related Captions: Catholic Hosp. Reopens(The Inquirer), Catholic Hospital Resumes Operation, But…(INSIGHT)

OTHER STORIES

MSF To Close Operations In Foya

The French medical charity Medicines Sans Frontiers or Doctors Without Borders has said that the CMC in Foya, Lofa County has not recorded new admissions in the past 10 days, and since 30 October there have been no confirmed Ebola cases. MSF further disclosed that its teams are now reducing CMC capacity from 25 to 10 beds and may eventually close down by end of November. However, the medical charity is warning Liberians that the fight against Ebola is far from over and the public must remain vigilant, writes the New Dawnnewspaper.

MoH Issues Ebola Regulations

The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has set up anti-Ebola regulations to govern all citizens irrespective of status or affiliation. Outgoing Health Minister, Dr. Walter T. Gwenigale, has mandated that all video clubs, night clubs or restaurants should have chlorinated water placed at the entrances of those businesses for hands washing, and everyone’s temperature should be taken, stressing that anyone with 37.5 degree Celsius should be denied entrance and considered an Ebola suspect. Minister Gwenigale has also instructed that vehicles in Liberia should continue to carry three persons at the back seat until Ebola is eradicated here. He said no community should allow visitors from various counties, especially when the person is sick, according to the New Dawn newspaper.

Campaigns Restricted!

Police authorities in Monrovia have restricted all campaign activities in front of the Executive Mansion and the Capitol Building here, during the entire campaign period for the 16 December special senatorial election. Police spokesman Sam Collins, said political parties campaigning from the commercial district of Red-light to central Monrovia should take the 12th Street, Sinkor route  after crossing Vamoma House up to the old Health Ministry and then head for town. Collins said political parties and candidates campaigning from central Monrovia to Red-light should bend at the old Health Ministry and take the Jallah Town route, avoiding traffic congestions. The police spokesman said that all political parties have been warned to invite the police at the launch of their campaigns in order to provide security, assuring that the police will protect all candidates during the campaign period. The New Dawn

Related Caption: Police Announces Routes For Election(The Inquirer)