MONROVIA, March 27 (LINA) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has donated 200 pieces of buckets and two cartoons of detergent to its partners, the Ministry of Youth and Sport (MYS) and Jewel Starfish Foundation (JSF) for onward distribution to the less privileged.
The IOM Country Coordinator in Liberia, Mohammed Cherif Diallo, said the coronavirus disease is rapidly hitting and causing lots of health and economic issues globally, citing that even the most powerful countries around the world are badly affected.
Presenting the supplies on Friday at the Samuel Kanyan Doe Sport Complex in Paynesville, Diallo indicated that awareness on the COVID-19 is a key way to prevent the virus, adding that it is important for health workers and volunteers to help accelerate awareness of the virus in various communities so that people are educated on how the disease can be prevented.
« When the communities are aware of the preventive measures, it will help reduce the virus, » Diallo stressed.
He recommended that the items provided be placed at strategic areas « where people cannot afford purchasing these (preventive) items. »
The IOM local boss emphasized that Liberia has faced lots of challenges, including 14-year civil crisis and the Ebola virus epidemic.
« We do not want any other epidemic to affect the youthful population of this country, » Diallo added.
He noted that 60 percent of Liberia’s population comprises youth, saying « we need to preserve the youth for social cohesion, peace and security. »
He urged citizens as well as residents to help spread the awareness to families so that they wash and sanitize their hands regularly.
Diallo stated on behalf of the United Nations family that they can help with the necessary support, assuring that later they (UN) will engage the government in order to intervene on a larger scale.
Meanwhile, Diallo mentioned that IOM has established a three-year program, « Migrants As Messenger », aimed at creating awareness on the impact of illegal migration.
« As we all are aware that Liberia is one of the exit points for irregular migration, we want to eliminate this kind of migration and educate the the youth to stay in the country so that they contribute to its development, » Diallo told journalists.
For her part, the Program Director of the JSF foundation, Stephene Kpoto, thanked IOM for the donation and also thanked MYS for taking up the opportunity to train the tax force so that they move forward with the project.
She noted that it is time that they work with the young people to educate them, and called on Liberians to cooperate by adhering to the preventive measures which are good for everyone.
« When we do this, I believe we can save the nation and the world at large, » Kpoto explained.
Receiving the materials, the Minister of Youth and Sport, D. Zeogar Wilson, commended the IOM for the level of support to Liberia which, he said, is “highly appreciated.”
Wilson asserted that the young people of the country will work along with JSF in the awareness process and also the distribution of the items donated.
He also assured the IOM that the materials will reach the desired targets.
LINA FLK/IAS/PTK
