New Kru Town residents urged not to lose focus in Ebola fight

The   Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Dr. Kamil Kamaluddeen has urged residents of New Kru Town to keep focus on lessons learnt and the successes that have been achieved in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus disease in Liberia.

Dr. Kamaluddeen said the people of New Kru Town have exhibited the virtues of hard work, togetherness and commitment among community members in overcoming challenges and achieving positive results in the fight against the Ebola Disease in the Country.

The UNDP Country Director made the comments at the weekend in District 16 in Montserrado County when he turned over 100 Wind-up solar energy radios and 100 Panasonic solar lanterns to Ebola Survivors and Orphans in New Kru Town, one of the communities hardly hit by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

“We are here in solidarity with you. We are here to congratulate you for the efforts that you have shown so far…For the hard work and togetherness that you have demonstrated in your response to the Ebola virus disease…” Dr. Kamaluddeen said.
 
He said the donation to survivors and orphans in the community was part of UNDP on-going support to Ebola survivors and orphans to help them have access to information and light in their homes.

Dr. Kamaluddeen encouraged the people of New Kru Town and Liberia to build on lessons learned from the Ebola fight, urging them to continue working hard to ensure that Ebola is totally eradicated from Liberia.

The radios were procured in partnership with a South Africa based NGO, Life Line Energy while the solar lanterns were procured through a pro bono agreement between the UNDP and Panasonic Corporation.

S. Tugbe Worjloh, the Vice Governor of New Kru Town expressed appreciation to UNDP for the donation to Ebola orphans and survivors in the community.

Also speaking, Baccus Karpeh, coordinator of District # 16 Ebola Task Force called for additional support to orphans and survivors in the district.

Karpeh said with limited logistics and resources, the District Ebola Task Force continues to work with survivors and other community members to remain engaged as awareness on Ebola continues to be created among the people.

The solar radios and lanterns are to be distributed among the first set of 153 orphans and 160 survivors in the community.