Save the Children renews commitment here

The humanitarian non-governmental organization, Save the Children, has renewed its commitment to standing by Liberia in its difficult period and will continue to be a trusted partner in child protection.

An Executive Mansion release said the organization made this commitment when a three-member delegation headed by former Public Works Minister, Samuel Kofi Woods paid a courtesy call on President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at her Foreign Ministry office on Friday, November 14, 2014. Other members of the delegation included Interim Country Director-Liberia, Greg Ramm and Sabine Copinga from Save the Children-Netherlands.

Briefing the Liberian leader about the organization’s partnership with the country in the Ebola fight, Mr. Ramm said Save the Children constructed an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in Suakoko, Bong County and is currently constructing another one in Kakata Margibi County.

Mr. Ramm disclosed that Save the Children continues to sponsor anti-Ebola radio messages to encourage Liberians to stick to the approved measures as given by health authorities in response to fear that a change in behavior would undermine the gains made in the fight.

As a further demonstration of partnership with Liberia especially during this very difficult period, the interim country director disclosed that a ship load of assorted anti-Ebola materials are expected to arrive in the country on November 20. The anti-Ebola materials were donated by the Government of Kingdom of the Netherland as an additional assistance to Liberia’s fight against the Ebola virus disease.

Besides the fight against the virus, Mr. Ramm expressed his institution’s concern about regular health care especially for children. He promised additional funding in this direction. He also promised his organization’s continued support orphans created by the Ebola outbreak.

Mr. Ramm hailed President Sirleaf’s administration for the new law passed recently that places the Bureau of Social Warfare and Children under the Ministry of Gender. According to him, the new Gender Ministry will further help his organization to reach out to children and their welfare expeditiously as dealing with two ministries – Gender and Health – as was in the past hampered their program by taking too much time in reaching out to children.

In response, President Sirleaf recounted the longtime relationship between Liberia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands as they have always been helpful to Liberia in good and bad times. She expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Liberian people.

The Liberian leader again reiterated her call for a more inclusive community level approach in the Ebola fight. She wants the community-based approach expanded and the number of participants increased in order to continue to identify and report sick people in these communities which she believes has help greatly in the past months.

Save the Children is an international NGO working with children in over 120 countries. Their primary focus is to save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfill their potential. The organization has been operating in Liberia for more than 20 years.