LONDON – The Government of Liberia has welcomed the contributions of both Ireland and the Republic of Malta as Liberia struggles to combat the deadly coronavirus.
The request for assistance grew out of communication written in April to the governments of both Ireland and Malta by H.E. Gurly T. Gibson Schwarz, Ambassador of Liberia to the United Kingdom. In her appeal Ambassador Gibson Schwarz indicated how her government was wrestling to guide Liberia through the COVID-19 pandemic requesting direct assistance in the form of face masks, testing kits, thermometers, ear defender, ventilators, gloves, respiratory protective equipment, hazmat suits, safety footwear, among others necessary to fight and contain the virus to protect the Liberian people.
The Liberian government says it is pleased to acknowledge the contributions of her two counterparts to Liberia during the fight of the virus.
In a separate communication to the Presidents of Ireland and the Republic of Malta, His Excellency, George Manneh Weah stressed the crucial importance of partnership and sustained solidarity towards successfully overcoming the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Liberian leader extends profound gratitude of the Government and people of Liberia to the President of Malta, H.E. George Vella, for the donation of medical supplies in support of Liberia’s fight against the COVID19 pandemic.
‘’ It is with deep gratitude that I express my warm compliments on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia for your show of solidarity’’
President Weah, whose recent anti coronavirus musical production was listed by UNESCO for its global awareness against the pandemic, asserted that the intervention from Malta at such defining moments, represents a firm manifestation of ‘’true friendship and brotherhood’’.
The Government of Malta however recently informed its Liberian counterpart, about the donation of key medical supplies including protective medical gear and face masks.
Responding to an appeal being coordinated by the Embassy of Liberia in London, the United Kingdom, the Government of Malta said it was pleased to identify with Liberia’s response to the pandemic.
A dispatch from London disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Malta indicated that the international community has a moral obligation to defeat the COVID 19 pandemic together.
The statement said, considering the renewed sense of solidarity and friendship, characteristic of the bilateral relationship between Liberia and Malta; ‘The Government of Malta is donating five thousand (5,000) anti-bacterial protective suits, one hundred thousand (100,000) disposable face masks, one thousand (1000) visors.
The Government of Malta also assured of its determination to support key institutions leading Liberia COVID 19 response- noting ‘it is only through our collective efforts that we can overcome this crisis. ‘
Still in the spirit of gratitude, President Weah also conveyed warm sentiments to the Irish government for their expressed commitment to leverage bilateral and multilateral engagements; in order to support Liberia’s fight against the pandemic.
In a letter to Irish President (H.E Michael D. Higgins), President Weah expressed deep appreciation for the demonstration of support to Liberia, during such crucial circumstances Liberia’s Ambassador to the Court of Saint James, H.E. Gurly T. Gibson Schwarz, said the intervention from Ireland will compliment Liberia’s resilient response against the pandemic.
Despite the relatively lower number of COVID-19 cases in Africa, the pandemic remains a major threat to the continent’s health systems. A new modeling study by the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that if containment measures fail, even with a lower number of cases requiring hospitalization than elsewhere, the medical capacity in much of Africa would be overwhelmed.
The contributions of the Republic of Malta and Ireland are signs that Liberia is not alone in the combat of the deadly Coronavirus. The Liberian government through it foreign missions including the Liberian Embassy in the United Kingdom continue to push President Weah’s Pro Poor agenda.