The Governments of the Republic of Liberia and the People's Republic of China have exchanged notes worth a total of US$3 million dollars toward the eradication of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The Chinese Government donated US$1 million of financial aid and US$2 million worth of food assistance to Liberia, along with 1.3 million RMB Yuan (about US$200, 000.00) worth of equipment including SUVs and 30 motorcycles to the Government of Liberia for the fight against the Ebola virus disease.

The ceremony took place in the Cabinet Room of the President’s Office at the Ministry Foreign Affairs on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, September 24, 2014.

During the ceremony, His Excellency Zhang Yue, Chinese Ambassador accredited to the Republic of Liberia signed on behalf of his Government while Hon. Sylvester M. Grigsby, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs signed on behalf of the of Liberian Government in the presence of President Ellen Johnsons Sirleaf.

Making a brief remark at the signing ceremony, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, thanked the President, the Government and People of the People’s Republic of China through Ambassador Zhang for the supports and assistance to Liberia.

President Sirleaf, speaking following the signing, said Liberia is extremely grateful to the PRC for being there from the very beginning of the fight to eradicate the Ebola virus disease from the country. “You were with us in this fight from the very start”.

President Johnson Sirleaf remembered the numerous supports China has given to Liberia including, the supports in the agriculture, security, education, and health sectors. The Liberian leader noted that China has also been a crucial partner in the private sector of the Liberian economy through its private companies that are trying to rebuild roads and rehabilitate services and power areas.

The Liberian Leader stressed that China was one of the first to respond to the Ebola outbreak, which enabled the Government to reach many of its clinics and hospitals in difficult times when they did not have the basics to respond to this disease.

"Let us note that the cash contribution you have made will be channeled through the right means to the account at the Central Bank Liberia for onward stage transfer to the Ebola Trust Fund and then onward to the different entities that are engaged in this response. And just like the previous medical supplies you have brought, the logistics will go through the response center that is coordinating, to make sure they reach those places that are more needed throughout the country. We look forward to the return of your companies, because we do not only fear the effect of Ebola, we also fear that livelihoods will be threatening if we do not get our economy functioning again", she added.

Speaking earlier, Ambassador Yue said, the Ebola epidemic is escalating and spreading in West Africa and has posed grave challenges not only to the said region but also to the international community.

The Chinese Ambassador stressed that His Excellency President XI Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China is highly concerned about the epidemic situation and cares about friends in the Ebola affected countries. He recalled that on September 18, 2014, President XI Jinping announced that the Chinese Government decided to provide 200 million RMB Yuan (about USD 33 million United States dollars) worth of new round of emergency assistance to 10 affected regional countries, among which the Chinese Government will provide USD1 million financial aid and USD 2 million worth of food assistance to Liberia, in addition to the previous two batches of assistance.

“In order to enhance the capacity of the Liberian National Police (LNP) in combating the Ebola virus as well as to improve its mobility in the context of UNMIL’s draw down, the Chinese Government also decided to donate 1.3 million RMB Yuan (about USD200,000.00) worth of equipment including SUVs and 3o motorcycles”, stated the Chinese Ambassador.

Ambassador Yue mentioned that China has been responding positively and quickly to the call of the affected region in giving helping hand. He recalled that in April, China provided medical supplies and cash aid to the Ebola affected countries.

In August,  China also took the lead to respond to the emergency appeals of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone by offering instant assistance, such as cash, sending 174 medical experts, personal protection equipment (PPE's) and food aid valued at 30 million RMB Yuan (about USD5 million) delivered by a chartered flight.

On his part, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sylvester M. Grigsby signing on behalf of the Government of Liberia, commended Ambassador Zhang for his drive and diligence in securing the assistance.

Minister Grigsby recalled that shortly after the Chinese Embassy received the list of needs from the Liberian Government, the very first charter flight arrived from China with PPEs and other medical supplies  followed by a team of Chinese specialists.

“The pain of the loss of hundreds of lives of our citizens to the Ebola virus is being compounded by the ravages to our economy and livelihoods. In the face of shrinking revenue, the bills for fighting the Ebola virus are mounting. It is against this background that we heartily welcome this cash donation by the People’s Republic of China. It will certainly aid in our efforts to sustain salaries and benefits, especially of the health workers who are on the frontline of the fight against the deadly virus”, added Hon. Grigsby.

The Acting Foreign Minister further recollected the Chinese donations and supports to Liberia including, the signing of China Union Agreement, the construction of the Jackson F. Doe Hospital in Tappita, the University of Liberia Fendall Campus, and the Agricultural Demonstration Project at CARI  and the Agreement on the Assistance to the Liberian National Police.