The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, has presented 29,412 bags of 25Kg rice, worth US$500,000, to the Government of Liberia (GOL) to be distributed amongst victims of disasters and vulnerable Liberian citizens.
A Foreign Ministry release says the signing ceremony, which was characterized by a tour of the warehouses where the consignment of rice is stored, took place in the Cecil Dennis Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
Mohammed Abdullah Al-Mubarak, Head of Delegation and Charge d’Affaires Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Abidjan, signed for his country, while H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, signed on behalf of the Liberian government.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Al-Mubarak pointed out that the gesture was in fulfillment of a request made to his government by Foreign Minister, H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr.
He also heaped praises on his government for seeing the need to identify with Liberia and its citizens during these difficult times.
Receiving the donation, Foreign Minister Kemayah pointed out that, in pursuant of the vision of President George Manneh Weah as enshrined in the “Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD)”, he engaged the Saudi government on food assistance and the renovation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“In line with the directives of the President of the Republic of Liberia, we initiated a series of on-going engagements with our bilateral partners and friends, including, but not limited to, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Our request for food assistance was to enable a prompt response by the government to would-be victims of disaster-related situations as well as those within the bloc of vulnerabilities. The bilateral discussions were held in October; a communication from the Saudis came informing me that the requests made for the renovation of the Foreign Ministry and food assistance were granted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Minister Kemayah explained.
Minister Kemayah further disclosed that the Liberian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was later requested by the Saudis to provide a bank account to deposit the amount of US$2 million and US$500,000, which were approved for the renovation of the ministry and food assistance.
He noted that the Liberian government was also requested to identify the sample of rice to be imported to Liberia and work out the modalities for the rice to be distributed to the needy.
Foreign Minister Kemayah told the Saudis delegation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in keeping with its reform agenda, is not involved with the distribution of food and, as such, the relevant agency of the Liberian government will take charge of the distribution exercise.
Minister Kemayah further cautioned that the high level of transparency and accountability taking place under his watch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be implored during the distribution of the rice to beneficiaries.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Liberia, Henry Williams, thanked Minister Kemayah and noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs played a pivotal role to actualize many of the developmental initiatives and assistances Liberia and its citizens are currently benefiting from.
“This effort by Minister Kemayah will be remembered because to cater to the needs of victims of disasters is not an easy task,” he stated further.
Director Williams also attributed the fulfillment of the rice grant to Liberia to the credibility of the Weah led-administration.
According to him, the gesture from the Saudis will enable his agency to adequately cater to needy disaster victims and vulnerable Liberians residing in the country.
“We want to recognize the partnership and friendship of the Saudi government because a friend in need is a friend in deed. We are in need and you have come to our aid, and so we want to say thank you,” he maintained.
Also speaking, Internal Affairs Minister, Varney Sirleaf, expressed gratitude to the Saudi government as Liberia witnesses another signing ceremony that brings food items for the entire citizenry.