Lower Montserrado, Margibi Counties – The Liberia National Red Cross Society has completed and dedicated several projects valued at US$539,729,000 in rural towns of Lower Montserrado County and parts of Margibi County.
The projects were implemented by the LNRCS as a way of helping communities affected by flood and other disasters recuperate and get sustainable livelihood.
The funding for the project was made available by the Japanese government Implemented under the ‘Enhancing response and recovery capacity and support to the population affected by floods in Margibi and Montserrado Counties.’
Projects dedicated included pit latrine, hand pump and reconstruction of homes and training on disaster management.
During the dedicatory ceremony held during the weekend in Sand Town, Margibi County, LNCRS said the disaster management training residents of affected communities about finding ways to prevent future disasters that may be encountered.
These dedicated facilities, according to LNRCS President Jerome Clarke II, will meet the basic needs of those affected by flood.
In addition to the facilities, Mr. Clarke noted that Red Cross has also provided shelter materials, emergency health, non-food items, water sanitation and hygiene and the implementation of early warning system.
He said the projects targeted over 15, 000 affected persons with essential food and non- food items, safe drinking water, livelihood support and psychosocial provided to 30 flood affected communities in the two counties.
The LNRCS President lauded the Japanese government and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) for initiating and completing the projects which he said would bring smiles on the faces of affected communities in the two counties.
“These projects are intended to supplement government effort, because government can’t do all of the work,” Clarke said.
He however highlighted the role played by LNRCS, IFRC and the community volunteer in combating natural disaster in Liberia as the Red Cross goes through changes. He also called on the impacted communities to maintain the facilities.
“Again, to our partners we called on you to continue to support our projects especially as we are going through the process of rebranding the Liberia National Red Cross Society.
“The responsibility now is for you to keep and take care of them. Projects like this will serve as an example for donors to see the need to take the project to another community”, Clarke said.
Lawrence Orowe, acting head of the IFRCS country office, said the projects were successful because of the collaborative efforts of the LNRCS and the communities who volunteered themselves. He especially lauded the efforts of the Society President.
“It is because of the credibility that came with your leadership that lent us the grant that financed this project. So, we want to thank all of you the community people, the LNRCS team and the local authority for the collaboration so far,” Orowe stated.
In separate remarks, one town chief, G. Andrew Kollie lauded the LNRCS, the Japanese government and the IFRC for providing his town with facilities that are useful for their livelihood.
Kollie promised that the pump and the latrine will be well maintained by the town.
Report by Jackson Kanneh