Ellen requests longer U.S. help

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has told the United States and other foreign governments that the job in fighting Ebola has not finished yet, pleading with them to continue extending help and partnerships with Liberia for a longer time, while trying to cure the devastating circumstances the virus has left here.

Liberia has been observing weeks of no new Ebola case since the last confirmed survivor was discharged from ETU on March 5, 2015.

Upon return home, President Sirleaf described her three-week trip to the US and Brussels as very successful, informing citizens on Friday night, 13 March 2015 that Liberia’s progress in the Ebola fights has opened a window of opportunity.

Though she had no interaction with reporters, President Sirleaf, however, told a congregation at a thanksgiving service held upon her arrival at the Effort Baptist Church in Paynesville that “we accomplished what we went to do,” including appeals for foreign governments to extend their partnerships for longer time.

Serving as advocate for Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea during her stay  in the US and Brussels, President Sirleaf said she met with governments and high level personalities and thanked them on behalf of the worst-affected states, for their assistance and commitment in ensuring that this global threat is contained.

The Liberian leader said given the commitment and effectiveness of the health team under the Incidence Management System and international partners’ assistance, she was able to report that Liberia was now  at a point until it can officially be declared Ebola-free.

But she appealed to citizens and residents here to do their part in moving the country forward, warning that the “window of opportunity” that Liberia now has will not last forever.

She reminded that each individual has the responsibility to support, supplement and assist government efforts in ensuring that the country did not slip back into the dark past.

By Winston W. Parley