Monrovia, 24 July 2014 – The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, honoured today the World Health Organization (WHO) country office by conferring the Humane Order of African Redemption with the Grade of Knight Grand Commander, for its achievements and support during the past years in areas such as maternal and children mortality, disease prevention and control, and outbreaks, including the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

The Citation of the President commended the WHO for its leadership and policy guidance in strengthening partnership and harmonization for health in the country, as well as its strong support for achieving better health outcomes such as attainment of fulfillment of Millennium Development Goal 4 (reduction child mortality), improved immunization coverage and introduction of new vaccines, contribution to the decrease of maternal mortality, establishment of drug regulatory authority, among others. 

WHO Representative in Liberia, Dr Nestor Ndayimirije, received the distinction on behalf WHO Country Office, during an investiture ceremony, in which the Liberian Government also conferred honors to 18 distinguished individuals at the official start of the celebrations of Liberia’s 167th Independence Anniversary. 

Special honors were also conferred on health workers who have died because they were infected with the Ebola virus. Many health care workers in Liberia have contracted the virus while they were taking care of patients with the virus. “We like to say to them how much we appreciate what they do to contribute to helping the country arrest the deadly Ebola disease,” said the President.
 
President Johnson Sirleaf appealed to all Liberians, especially those in the communities to know that the Ebola epidemic is real and that “no one is trying to put up an act or to fool them or think that someone has motives other than to protect them and to help them to save their lives.” She urged them to heed the warning and advice of health workers.

In the Ebola response in Liberia, WHO country office has been supporting the Ministry of Health in many areas, such as coordination, community outreach, contact tracing and surveillance, case management and treatment, as well as providing supplies and protective gear for health workers.

The first wave of Ebola epidemic in Liberia was confirmed on 30 March 2014. The country is currently facing a second wave of cases since May 2014. WHO continues to provide support to the Ministry of Health and Social welfare in Liberia in the areas of coordination, treatment of patients; surveillance and advocacy for human logistical and financial, and resources.
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For media inquiries you can contact:
WHO Country Office, Mamba Point

Dr Nestor Ndayimirije WHO Representative, Liberia
Email: %20%20ndayimirijen [at] who.inttarget="_blank"
Tel: 00 231 886530047

Ms Leticia Linn Communications Officer, Liberia 
Email: Linnl [at] who.int
Tel: 00 231 886494347