-Call for concerted efforts to combat virus

Groups of influential Civil Society Organizations are calling for a concerted national effort to be led by the President of the Republic of Liberia, George M. Weah, to combat the virus that is now affecting the population at an alarming rate.

The groups, which are  working on Democracy, Governance and Accountability issues, said such national effort must rally the support of all stakeholders, including political parties, private sector, religious community, civil society and media, traditional leaders, women and youth groupings etc.

The CSOs include the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD), NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-Liberia), Accountability Lab Liberia and Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL),

Speaking on behalf of the group at a press conference in Monrovia, Anderson Miamen said the CSOs are concerned about the current national health pandemic (COVID-19), which could potentially undermine the economic, social and political stability of Liberia.

“As these threats loom, the CSOs are calling on President Weah to show leadership if Liberians are to emerge victorious out of this crisis,” Miamen said.

“At the moment, we are not seeing the level of leadership, coordination; community engagement and timely information sharing that characterized the fight against Ebola,” Mr. Miamen, said, “Therefore, we wish to call on the government to build on existing structures and resources used during the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to save resources and timely eradicate the virus.”

The group wants the government to strengthen its COVID-19 response preparedness and make contingency plans in an event of escalation in cases.

Read the full article here.

KatieFuhs