United Nations in Liberia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. The UN in Liberia, the Government and Partners are ensuring that the 17 SDGs are achieved in Liberia although emphases are attached to those relevant to the country context.

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04 October 2021

UN Resident Coordinator Pays a Courtesy Call on the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representative

Discussions on key issues around the economic revitalization of Liberia and the how to ensure the effectiveness of aid to the country were proffered at the meeting. Honorable Dr. Bhofal Chambers expressed delight in the visit of Mr. Niels Scott and stressed the need for more public-private partnership, as a means of improving the economy and livelihoods of Liberians. He mentioned, “This would bring in better returns for the country”. He also noted that, “We should not be enamored to a particular idea but be open to change”. The Liberian Speaker also emphasized the need for greater partnership and discussions with donor partners. The UN Resident Coordinator highlighted the relevance of listening and coordinating with government as a means of guidance on direction of national priorities. He mentioned the need for gender equality and empowerment, pointing out that “gender equality and empowerment adds 20% to the economy of a country. Niels Scott stated his appreciation for the dialogue with the Speaker and promised to work with the government for the betterment of the Liberian people.

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07 September 2021

Liberia Receives Additional 108,000 Doses of J&J Covid-19 Vaccines

This was made possible through the African Union's African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), with support from UNICEF and the WHO and funding from the World Bank. The consignment was received by the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhemina Jallah , Acting Country Manager of World Bank (Liberia) ,Mr. Mark Mulbah , World Health Representative , Dr. Zabulon Yoti along with UN in Liberia Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott. The UN Resident Coordinator noted that so far, more than 80% of the Covid -19 doses administered have gone to people in high-income and upper-middle-income countries. This has led to leaders of the G7 pledging extra doses for low- and middle-income countries by the end of this year. He stated that the US government among others pledged to provide vaccines across the world and we saw this pledge become reality for Liberia when 302,000 J&J doses arrived in Liberia a month ago. Resident Coordinator Niels Scott highlighted the progress on assuring vaccination takes place based on need and not nationality or wealth - and this latest shipment of 108,000 doses of single dose J&J vaccine puts Liberia even more firmly on path to meets its target of having 40% of the population vaccinated by December and 70% vaccinated by the middle of next year. He stressed that the spotlight, of course, is now once again very much on the Government and people of Liberia to make sure these doses are injected into people’s arms. "We are fortunate that that these vaccines today have a long expiry date but nonetheless there is pressure to move forward to meet those targets. The MoH has an excellent track record and should be proud of their capacity to ensure vaccine take-up despite some of the toughest logistical constraints in the region and the UN , with WHO and UNICEF in the forefront, is proud to be supporting the MoH in achieving this", he said.

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19 October 2021

GCF-Financed Climate Resilience Project Launched with Support from UNDP

The Monrovia Metropolitan Climate Resilience Project (MMCRP), being undertaken with support from UNDP and funding from the Green Climate Fund, is aimed at protecting the lives, homes and livelihood activities of hundreds of families in the township, as well as critical infrastructure such as schools and fish landing beaches. “The sea keeps coming and taking up a lot of land space,” said Andrew Kafi, a community leader at West Point. “The houses used to be way back where there is sea now. The sea keeps coming and causing disaster and making a lot of people homeless. We as residents are really worried. If nothing is done, West Point will be totally wiped out.” The people of West Point try to stave off the ever-advancing ocean using sand bags and garbage mounds that are often quickly over run and washed away by the ocean, leaving their homes vulnerable and precariously positioned. “To protect our people from the existential risks posed by the climate crisis, this project will expand our coastal defenses, enhance livelihoods, create new economic opportunities, and improve the protection of the vulnerable mangrove ecosystems in the Monrovian metropolitan area,” said Professor Wilson K. Tarpeh, Executive Director of Liberia’s Environmental Protection Agency. Coastal erosion as a result of climate-induced rises in sea levels and intense tropical storms has already permanently destroyed the homes of more than 670 families, and put critical fishery businesses at risk in West Point. It is estimated that Liberia’s economy will incur between US$40m and US$48m in climate change-related damages by the year 2100, adversely impacting tens of thousands of people. “For the people in Liberia, climate change is a catastrophic reality that is literally eating up the ground from beneath their feet, and right before their eyes, plunging them into an uncertain future. We are doing our part to support the Government of Liberia as a matter urgency, to prevent further loss of homes and livelihoods. It is imperative for everyone – governments, businesses, industry, and communities, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming and sea-level rises such as we are witnessing in Liberia,” said Stephen Rodriques, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Liberia. UNDP, working with Liberia’s Environment Protection Agency, has secured US$25.6 million from the Green Climate Fund to implement the six-year MMCRP project that will impact 250,000 vulnerable people. The project will not only build the coastal defense structures, but also promote climate-resilient livelihood initiatives to redress encroachment and destruction the Mesurado Wetlands that drain into the Atlantic Ocean through Monrovia. The wetlands are heavily harvested for fuel wood, and are a chocking catchment for garbage. The project builds on UNDP’s long-standing commitment to support the Government of Liberia’s response to the climate crisis. In 2020, the organization invested US$ 2.0 million for construction of coastal revetments in New Kru Town, also in Monrovia, saving the only government school in the borough, the D. Tweh High School, and homes. UNDP previously supported the construction of more coastal revetments in Buchanan city, Grand Bassa County, to the south of Monrovia, at a cost of US$ 2.9 million. UNDP is also at advanced stages of developing a similar project for Greenville, the capital of Sinoe County at a cost of US$8.9 million. Coastal erosion has already eaten away one of Greenville’s main streets. Nine out of Liberia’s fifteen counties are suffering the effects of coastal erosion.

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02 September 2021

SRSG Mahamat Saleh Annadif Visits His Excellency President George Manneh Weah

SRSG Mahamat Saleh Annadif informed President George Weah that his visit to Liberia was part of his regional tour, upon assumption of his duties in April 2021. His main message to the President was to renew UN commitment to sustaining peace and security in Liberia. President George Weah welcomed SRSG Annadif to Liberia. He congratulated the SRSG on his new appointment as SRSG and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel . President Weah also re-affirmed Liberia’s commitment to working closely with him and the United Nations team in Liberia to consolidate peace and democratic governance in Liberia, the region and Sahel, especially in the fight against terrorism. President Weah also recognised SRSG Annadif’s extensive national and international experience in peace processes in Africa, including in Niger, the Central African Republic and Sudan which he brings to the post. President Weah informed the SRSG of his long history of interactions and profound friendship with his predecessor, former SRSG Chambas, a dear friend and brother, expressing hope for similar and stronger relationship with SRSG Annadif. He also spoke of his amicable relationship with President Macky Sall of Senegal whom he referred to as mentor and senior brother. President Weah further stressed the “special relationship” between his Government and the UN in Liberia under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator and expressed confidence in the UN’s support to strengthen development efforts. SRSG Annadif expressed strong support for the implementation of the national development plan, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, suggesting adoption of UNDP’s regional Emergency Community Development Project as vehicle for accelerating community development, which has been successfully implemented in Senegal, Togo and The Gambia and aims to reduce poverty and growing inequalities between regions by providing rural communities with basic socioeconomic infrastructure.

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02 September 2021

SRSG for West Africa and the Sahel Pays a Two-Day Visit to Liberia

This visit is part of his familiarization tour in the sub region. The SRSG Annadif along with UN in Liberia Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, held discussions with the UN Country Team in Liberia. Discussions focused on the UN development programmes and initiatives as well as critical issues around national development. In talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dee-Maxwell Kemayah, the SRSG on behalf of the UN, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Liberia for hosting up to 40,000 refugees from the Ivory Coast. He emphasized the excellent relationship between the UN Country team in Liberia, led by the Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott, and the Government of Liberia. He noted the challenges the country had overcome in the past years and stressed that the “UN is ready to support and accompany Liberia in its developmental efforts”. On his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulated Mr. Annadif on his preferment and highlighted the excellent relationship Liberia has with the office of the SRSG for West Africa and the Sahel. He mentioned the progress made in stabilizing the Covid-19 third wave pandemic with support from the UN Country Team in Liberia. He also spoke about the improvement in the Liberian economy under the leadership of the President of Liberia, His Excellency George Manneh Weah. Mr. Kemayah underscored the need for a larger United Nations footprint in rural parts of Liberia and local communities, as a key desire of the Government and the President. The SRSG will also pay a visit to the President of Liberia, His Excellency George Manneh Weah on Thursday, September 2, 2021.

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05 October 2021

Resident Coordinator of the UN in Liberia Holds Meeting with the Liberian Vice President

The Resident Coordinator and the Vice President spoke on various topics including sexual & gender-based violence in Liberia; gender equality and women empowerment in leadership. Additionally, discussions were held on how the activities of the United Nations and partners could positively impact the lives of everyday citizens of Liberia. Honorable Madam Jewel Howard Taylor noted her appreciation for the Resident Coordinator’s visit and expressed her willingness for further engagements with the United Nations in Liberia. She stated, "We are a democratic nation, and it behooves the government to follow the democratic path of leadership. We have exemplified that leadership, and we hope to continue on this path." Vice President Howard-Taylor, however, described Liberia as a peaceful and friendly nation that is determined to uphold the values and principles of the United Nations. She noted the need for more support from the United Nations to empower and enhance women's participation in the country's governance process. The Resident Coordinator extended greetings on behalf of the UN and thanked Vice President Howard-Taylor for the warm reception accorded him. Mr. Scott reiterated the United Nations' commitment to supporting Liberia in its drive to enhance peace, security, good governance, development, and the promotion of human rights. The UN Country Team (UNCT) Liberia is led by the UN Resident Coordinator who coordinates all the UN’s operations in Liberia with the support of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office.

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23 September 2021

The Queen of the Belgians Pays a Virtual Visit to the UN Country Team In Liberia

Led by UN Resident Coordinator Niels Scott, the team brought the Queen together with young Liberian girls and youth via a video conference, who directly spoke on adolescent health, teenage pregnancies, substance abuse, mental health challenges, and their aspirations. Liberia is one of the youngest countries in the world, where 63 percent of the population is below 25 years old. Three out of 10 girls get pregnant before 18. Four out of 5 sexual and gender-based violence survivors are girls. It is estimated that one out of five Liberians experiences mild or moderate mental health issues. One of the participants explained to Queen Mathilde the severe challenges she has faced with being a teenage mother in Liberia, saying she can’t attend school and associate freely with her peers because of the stigma around teenage mothers. However, she emphasized that her dream for the future is to go back to school and become a lawyer. Resident Niels Scott noted “these are the challenges and hope embodied by many Liberian youths and their peers- challenges in mental and reproductive health, which the UNCT in Liberia would like to highlight”. The UN DCO Regional Director for Africa, a.i Yacoub Ali El-Hillo, followed these remarks by stating, “A steep rise in mental health, adolescent pregnancies and child marriages is not just an issue in Liberia. These are Africa’s problem”. Mr. El-Hillo also noted that “underlying problems with our essential healthcare stem from inequality, underfunding, complacency, and neglect. By addressing these fundamental issues and bolstering primary health care systems and universal health coverage, the countries will grow faster and recover more quickly from the COVID-19 pandemic”. Queen Mathilde, in turn, expressed her appreciation to both the UN Country Team and the young girls and youth. Resident Coordinator Scott stressed the need to address the fundamental issues related to health care systems and bolster universal health coverage to support those that are left behind.

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22 September 2021

The Spotlight Initiative Donates Forensic Equipment to the Government of Liberia

The Spotlight Initiative, jointly implemented by the Government of Liberia and the United Nations with funding from the European Union, has procured DNA machines and forensic equipment to aid the gathering of scientific evidence to prosecute suspected sexual offenders in Liberia. Over the last few years, the Government of Liberia has depended on foreign pathologists to perform postmortem pathological examinations, especially in cases of rape and murder. The lack of forensic evidence to prosecute often lead to overcrowded court dockets, prolonged pre-trial detentions and the legal release of alleged perpetrators due to lack of evidence. Speaking at the occasion, UN Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott, stressed that use of the equipment builds on best practices and lessons learnt on the prosecution of SGBV crimes, harmful traditional practices, and violations of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights regionally and globally. He stated, “It is expected that the assorted forensic equipment including offices supplies and stationaries will further provide support to the government to ensure the adjudication of SGBV cases in a timely manner based on scientific evidence collected”. The Spotlight Initiative, as the vital partnership between the European Union, United Nations and The Government of Liberia, aims, among other things, to support the clinical and legal response to SGBV through the establishment of a well-equipped forensic diagnostic unit/ system. It is expected that this system will help prosecute SGBV offences and eventually influence Liberian men and boys to protect girls and women and enable their equal participation in all spheres of life. It can be recalled that in 2019, the UNDP also procured and handed over one vehicle (Toyota high-top Land cruiser pickup) to support pathologists collect real time specimen and decentralize empirical evidence gathering and forensic services in leeward counties and provide in-service trainings for pathologists and technicians on the operation of new equipment procured. The forensic laboratory, when established, will have the capacity for immediate and effective preservation of human remains of interest and performance of timely DNA analysis and autopsy.

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23 August 2021

Second shipment of 96,000 doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine Arrives in Liberia Via COVAX

The vaccines are donated by the French Government through the COVAX Facility in collaboration with the European Union to help achieving the goal of equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally. The arrival of the 96,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine marks the third batch of vaccine shipped to Liberia by the COVAX facility as part of its unprecedented efforts to deliver at least 2 billion doses of the vaccine globally by the end of 2021. COVAX Facility is a result of the unprecedented solidarity of the international community to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries. The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health has vaccinated some 95,000 persons with the first consignment AstraZeneca vaccines donated to the country. The arrival of the vaccine will considerably boost the campaign for vaccinations in the Liberia and support the Government in achieving its goals. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, partners including the UN in Liberia, have been providing support to the Government of Liberia’s efforts in developing a national vaccination plan, cold chain infrastructure as well as stockpiling of syringes and safety boxes for the disposal of masks, gloves and other equipment to ensure health workers effectively carry on their task. Together with the full new batch, the overall amount of the vaccines received through COVAX reached 494,400 doses as 96,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and 302,400 doses of Johnson and Johnson were received earlier. COVAX is co-led by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, civil society organizations, manufacturers, and others.

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18 August 2021

Ministry of Agriculture in Partnership with the United Nations, Hosts Food Systems Dialogue

United Nations Food Systems Summit’s National Dialogue Convener and Agriculture Minister Jeanine M. Cooper, announces the holding of virtual national dialogues from August 18 to 27 for viable and sustained national food systems. Hosting national dialogues in member states to gather broader and participatory views from all spectrum on food systems is a major component of this year’s Food Systems Summit in September. The overarching goal of the UN Food Systems Summit, to be convened by the United Nations Secretary- General in September 2021, is to help stakeholders to better understand and manage the complex choices that affect the future of food systems and to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Liberia’s dialogues will be convened in partnership with the United Nations systems in Liberia with support from the World Food Programme(WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO), along with UK-based Concern Worldwide and Germany’s biggest private developmental and humanitarian aid agency, Welthungerhilfe. The Dialogues will attract stakeholders in the animal products, cassava, cocoa, oil palm and rice sectors that are particularly keen to Liberia’s food systems. Stakeholders will deliberate on four main topics: Food Value Chain Development: Challenges and Opportunities for Liberia’s Economic Growth; Ending Youth Unemployment Through Agriculture: A Case for Liberia; Mitigating Climate Impacts on Liberian Farmers and Sourcing Home Grown Food to Boost Nutrition. Liberia’s common position – on a viable and sustainable food systems drawn from the dialogues – will be submitted at the summit in New York giving audience to all voices. A National Multi-stakeholders Group has also been constituted, comprising of Government of Liberia’s institutions, private sector actors, civil society groups, diplomatic missions, multilateral bodies and international non-governmental organizations actively involved in food security.

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Press Release

24 September 2021

UN Women Partners with LBS to Conduct Community Dialogues on Women’s Land Rights and Gender Roles

The first community dialogue will be held in Grand Cape Mount on Saturday, 25 September 2021. Representatives of women’s groups, women peace huts, multi-stakeholder platforms, youth groups, and land committees are expected to participate in the community dialogue which will also be aired on community radio stations. “The community dialogues are aimed at raising awareness on women’s land rights and influencing change in the dominant traditional cultural perceptions and the narrative that land-related matters and peacebuilding are a masculine domain,” says Jennifer Mbithi, UN Women Gender and Land Management Specialist. “The community dialogues are also aimed at correcting misconceptions and stereotypes on gender roles and encourage women’s active participation in decision-making processes,” she says. The Land Rights Act which ascended into law on September 19, 2018, states that every Liberian citizen including men, women, and youth, has the right to own land regardless of identity, custom, ethnicity, tribe, language, gender or otherwise. Women’s land rights are human rights, and therefore must be protected and respected. The Land Rights Act provides for equal rights specifically for women to access, use and own land and that land governance is inclusive and supports women’s leadership and participation in decision-making processes on land matters. Women rights to land have been violated in the past through denial or simple marginalization. Predominantly, the Liberian Land tenure system is strongly rooted in traditional and cultural practices and customs that exclude women and marginalized groups from land ownership and constrain their participation in decision-making forums at community, local and national levels. The community dialogues are therefore meant to remedy this by helping women understand their rights to land and subsequently ensuring that they exercise these rights, explains Ms. Mbithi. A perceptions study conducted by UN Women Liberia in 43 communities in Grand Cape Mount, Sinoe, Maryland, and Nimba counties, to assess the understanding of communities and individuals on gender, human rights and land rights issues, revealed deep-seated gender inequalities on roles as well as access to and control over resources and decision making, at the household and community levels. The study was conducted under the Peace Building Funded project ‘Sustaining Peace and Reconciliation through Strengthening Land Governance and Dispute Resolution Mechanisms, includes a Perceptions survey and, a Gender and Power Analysis and reveals the persistence of traditionally held cultural norms around the role of men and women in Liberian society as well as their rights. At the household level, women’s roles are largely relegated to that of a homemaker, and they are subservient to male heads of households as related to decision making. On land matters, the study revealed that Liberia has made significant strides in terms of its legal and policy framework towards ensuring gender equality and the protection of women rights including around land matters. Liberia’s Land Rights Framework is found to be gender-responsive, however, on the ground, more work needs to be done on education and implementation of existing laws. Specific recommendations were also made for continuous long-term grass-roots awareness-raising activities around land rights and gender equality. The community dialogues are therefore intended to address this. UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. UN Women is supporting the Liberia Broadcasting system to conduct community dialogues with funding support from the Norwegian and Swedish Embassies as well as the Peacebuilding Fund and Multi-Partner Trust Fund. For more information please contact: Gloriah Ganyani UN Women Communication Specialist E-mail - gloria.ganyani@unwomen.org Tel: +231 776866201

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Press Release

11 August 2021

UN Women Supports MGCSP to Host Mock Parliament Sessions in Five Counties in Liberia

The Mock Parliament sessions will be held in Grand Bassa (12 and 13 August 2021), Grand Gedeh (16 and 17 August), Nimba (18 and 19 August), Margibi (20 and 21 August) and Bomi (26 and 27 August) respectively. Participants will comprise of County leaders, academics, Parliamentarians, political party leaders, representatives of Civil Society Organisations and members of the judiciary, among others. The mock Parliament sessions are aimed at promoting and strengthening collaboration mechanisms and advocating for an increase in women’s political participation through inclusion of the enforceable 30 percent gender quota provision in the Liberia election law. The provision will make it mandatory for political parties to adhere to the 30 percent quota for women. In addition, the mock sessions provide an opportunity for people at the grassroots level including, women and youths as well as community leaders to have insights on the need and benefits of having more women in decision making positions and on how bills are debated in Parliament. “We hope that, by bringing the parliament to the people, communities are provided with a platform to understand how their recommendations for legal reforms are translated into law by their representatives,” says Marie Goreth Nizigama, UN Women Liberia, Country Representative. “It also gives them a chance to understand how the law makers prioritise and present their need for a critical mass of women in politics and advocate for inclusion of the enforceable 30 percent gender quota in the elections law,” says Ms. Nizigama. In Liberia, women make up half the population, but they are grossly underrepresented in politics as evidenced by the number of seats that they occupy in the legislature. There are currently eight women in the House of Representatives out of 73 and there are two women in the Senate out of 30. However, in an effort to increase the number of women in politics and decision making positions, Liberia has committed to take action to increase women’s political participation and representation by signing and ratifying a number of international and regional human rights instruments including the UN Convention on the Elimination of All forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW), the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights of women in Africa (ACHPR-PW), the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance (PDGG), among other protocols. Despite the commitments made, some gaps still exist- UN Women is supporting the government of Liberia to bridge these gap. “As the Ministry responsible for the empowerment of women, we are delighted to partner with the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia, WONGOSOL, National Elections Commission and women at the grassroots level to bring a spotlight on the importance of empowering women to participate in politics and leadership positions,” Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, Honourbale Williametta Saydee-Tarr expressed. Considering this, UN Women is providing technical and financial support to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and other partners, to host mock Parliament sessions that will comprise of an opening session and the Mock Parliament sessions. For more information please contact :- Eric Pervist Communications Specialist Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection E-mail - gendermedia1@gmail.com Tel : 0777808145 Or Gloriah Ganyani UN Women Communication Specialist E-mail - gloria.ganyani@unwomen.org Tel : +231 776866201

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Press Release

04 August 2021

Government of Liberia and United Nations Hold One-Day Dialogue On Improving Aid Coordination

The Dialogue was convened by the Government of Liberia to improve aid transparency, effectiveness and decision making. This joint Government of Liberia and United Nations Dialogue is the first since the signature of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) in August 2019. This event will serve to facilitate and initiate high-level dialogues around policy and programmes progress of the UNSDCF and launch the Joint Government of Liberia/United Nations Steering Committee. The Dialogue has in attendance Government Ministers, heads of Government entities, led by Augustus J. Flomo, Deputy Minister for Economic Management, Ministry of Finance & Development Planning and representatives from 18 UN agencies, led by the UN Resident Coordinator, Niels Scott. The GOL/UN Dialogue is happening at an opportune moment when the Government has recalibrated the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) to address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, to inform the alignment of the United Nation’s Cooperation Framework and the Liberian Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). This Dialogue relaunches the continued engagement between the UN and the Government of Liberia and will be followed by further discussions on areas of mutual importance The Government of Liberia and the UN in Liberia are reviewing the PAPD and Development priorities which guides the UN priorities and how to better coordinate development work, strengthen partnerships with development actors. The Dialogue will also include reflections on the broad achievements to date by the UN in Liberia and the priorities; the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated reprogramming of development resources to respond to the pandemic in 2020 and recently 2021. The UN is resolved to continue strengthening collaboration with the Government on sustainable development, building on agreed UN/GOL coordination mechanisms for dialogue, development cooperation and mutual accountability for the benefit of the people of Liberia. The Government of Liberia express gratitude to the UN family in Liberia for their continued support to the development agenda and encourage strong collaboration for future designs of projects and implementation.

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12 May 2021

COVID-19 Vaccines Shipped by COVAX Arrives in Liberia

Margibi, Liberia, 05 March 2021 - Liberia received 96,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses shipped via the COVAX initiative, a partnership between CEPI, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO. The arrival of the vaccines in Liberia is part of the historic step towards achieving the goal of equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in what will be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. This delivery is part of a first wave of shipments that will continue to different countries in the coming days and weeks. The arrival of the 96,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), marks the first batch of vaccine shipped to Liberia by the COVAX initiative as part of its unprecedented efforts to deliver at least 2 billion doses of the vaccine globally by the end of 2021. Ahead of the arrival of the vaccines, Liberia received 97,000 syringes and 600 safety boxes that will be used for the administration and disposal of immunization waste. The syringes are vital as the vaccine itself and it is critical to have adequate supply of syringes in Liberia ahead of the arrival of the vaccine. "Today we are making history in Liberia with the arrival of the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine into the country. We are proud to be part of COVAX global cooperation which demonstrates the best of humanity. Vaccines save lives and we are all confident that this important milestone will allow Liberia to get back to business and continue our efforts to build back the economy of Liberia,” Honorable Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Health Minister of the Republic of Liberia “The arrival of the first vaccines represents an important moment for Liberia as it gives the people a tool to halt a global disease that has already impacted the lives and livelihoods of so many. I’m very proud of Liberia team who made this important step a reality, “Jonna Jeurlink, Senior Country Manager at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Niels Scott, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia said, “the United Nations is proud to support the Government in saving lives and ensuring an equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX, the largest and most varied portfolio of COVID-19 vaccines globally.” Dr. Peter Clement, WHO Representative in Liberia said “the delivery of vaccines to Liberia today is a historic moment and reaffirms WHO’s commitment to ensure access to life saving vaccines for eligible people in Liberia. It also signifies the strong partnership and collaboration to control COVID-19 in Liberia and globally. Let us continue with the COVID-19 preventive measures because these vaccines will not be used for mass vaccination but selected category of people.” "We are very proud to support the Government of Liberia in the fight against COVID-19. The arrival of vaccines in the country is an essential milestone for strengthening and protecting health workers and staff working on the pandemic's frontline. We will continue to play our role as a key delivery partner and provide the technical support to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are safely delivered for the launch of the immunization campaign,” said Laila O. Gad, UNICEF Representative in Liberia. COVAX is co-led by GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), working in partnership with UNICEF as well as the World Bank, civil society organizations, manufacturers, and others. The United States, Team Europe (the European Union and the European Union Member States), the United Kingdom, Japan and Canada are among the main donors to the COVAX Facility. For several months, COVAX partners have been supporting governments and partners in readiness efforts, in preparation for this moment. This includes assisting with the development of national vaccination plans, support for cold chain infrastructure, as well as stockpiling of syringes and safety boxes for their disposal, masks, gloves and other equipment to ensure that there is enough equipment for health workers to start vaccinating priority groups as soon as possible. In order to foster the early introduction of COVID-19 vaccine in Liberia, the country has identified its 20% priority population or target group in accordance with the guidance. The priority group includes health care workers, elderly people (60+), people with co-morbidities, refugees and other essential workers who cannot social distance due to the work they performed.

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