ADRA commits to post-Ebola recovery

A delegation from the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA)-International has pledged commitment to support Liberia’s post-Ebola recovery.

The head of a three-member ADRA delegation to Liberia, Frank Brenda, has disclosed that the organization intends to support the Liberian government in its post-Ebola recovery, particularly in rebuilding the health and education sectors with emphasis on reintroducing the school feeding program and revitalization of the agriculture sector.

Speaking to reporters over the weekend in Bulorquelleh community, one of the worst Ebola affected areas in Margibi County where the ADRA team had gone to distribute educational materials among Ebola orphans and survivors, Mr. Brenda underscored the need for such support to a country like Liberia whose entire health sector has been ravaged as the result of the outbreak of the Ebola Virus.  

The team is currently in Liberia to monitor the work of ADRA-Liberia, especially the recently launched Joint Ebola Orphans and Survivors Support Back to School Aid campaign in three counties. 

During the trip to Margibi County over the weekend, the team visited several schools that had benefited from its back-to-school campaign and continued with the distribution of materials.

On March 9, 2015, ADRA-Liberia launched a new project code-name ‘Joint Ebola Orphans and Survivors Support Back to School Aid’ in Kakata, Margibi County.

The project is being held under the auspices of the Aktion Deutschland Hilft Germany’s Relief Coalition and partners.

Giving an overview of the project and subsequent distribution of Ebola preventive materials, Country Director Anthony Zaizay, said “ADRA Liberia Network- Coalition 111” conducted needs assessment in the area and saw the need to provide aid to Ebola affected children, especially in the area of educational support.

ADRA-Liberia with support of its partners initiated the joint Ebola orphans and survivors back to school program, providing educational and Ebola prevention materials to schools accommodating them.

Zaizay said the project, with an estimated cost of US$200,000, is targeting about 400 children in several communities in Margibi and Bong counties for six months.

He urged other non-governmental organizations to join the exercise, adding, “It has now begun the obligation of every Liberian to extend helping hands to these kids if they are to reach their full potential.” 

Several students benefited the ADRA’s gesture with each receiving one school-bag containing educational materials such as books, pencils and Geometry set, among others. 

By Ramsey N. Singbeh, Jr. in Margibi