The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thelma E. Duncan-Sawyer, on July 21, 2022 turned over three million face masks to the Ministry of Health to strengthen the response to COVID-19 and a modern ambulance with all assorted items for the people of Foya District in Lofa County, which is equipped to serve as a mobile clinic.
Acting Minister Sawyer said the ceremony further demonstrates and reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment of H.E. Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. towards the realization of the vision of His Excellency President Dr. George Manneh Weah for a resilient and vibrant functioning health system in Liberia.
“In the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic and, being cognizant and conscious of the President’s vision for the health sector of Liberia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs embarked on a “One Man- 2 Masks’’ awareness campaign, aimed at mobilizing 10 million face masks to be distributed throughout the country in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The minister of Foreign Affairs engaged with good friends and partners of Liberia in the international community and was able to mobilize 3 million face masks.
“We say thanks to Mr. Macro Bourelly, General Manager and members of Confimea Imprese. This organization is the confederation or consortium of Italian businesses, entrepreneurs and investors with a membership of over 240,162 and an estimated 2, 471.734 employees. The minister first met with this group in July 2021 when he visited Rome, Italy to attend the Pre-Summit of the UN Food Systems (UNFSS) and later in October 2021 while attending the 3rd edition of Italy Encounters with Africa Conference in Rome, Italy,” Acting Minister Sawyer noted.
Acting Minister Sawyer expressed special thanks and deep appreciation to Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health, and the Incidence Management Team of the Ministry of Health for helping to clear the container out of the Free Port of Monrovia.
On behalf of the senior management team and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Acting Minister Sawyer said it is her pleasing honor to also recognize and thank H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Liberia, for his astute leadership and reform initiatives, which are beginning to bear fruit.
Receiving the supplies, the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah, said that the 3 million face masks will help in the fight against COVID-19 cases, noting that Liberia rates second in West Africa in vaccinate administration.
Dr. Jallah said that recent data emanating from the National Incident Management System (IMS) shows continuous decrease in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Liberia.
“We are very happy to receive these face masks, which will be distributed throughout the country under the campaign ‘One Man- 2 Masks’,” Dr. Jallah observed, and thanked Minister Kemayah and all partners fighting to prevent the spread of COVID-19”.