Liberian President Johnson Sirleaf has said that “denial and strong family traditions” have been responsible for the rapid spread of the Ebola viral disease in West Africa.
“The cause of the spread of the Ebola virus disease can be attributed to denial and strong family traditions; but we assure you of government’s collaboration with partners that have now (enabled us) to take full control of the situation and are now working to break transmissions.”
President Sirleaf disclosed this while responding to an address by Mr. Marcus Conaro, the Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General of Development and Cooperation of EuropeAid (DEVCO), during a courtesy call.
Describing the visit of the European Union envoy as “timely and a boost to calls for an end to isolating affected countries”, President Sirleaf believed that the visit would help many people who have ostracized affected countries know that there are “still safe environments to operate or do their businesses and that there was no need to pack up and leave”.
The President expressed serious concern about the livelihood of the population, which she said could be affected by the outbreak and welcomed the EU plan for post-Ebola economic recovery assistance, a plan which, she said, Liberia was equally working on.
On incentives for health workers, President Sirleaf informed the EU official that the incentives were now harmonized in line with the sub-region and would be announced soon.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Conaro had disclosed that as part of the European’s Union intervention in the Ebola fight, the body would inject an additional five million Euros (€5 million) into the crusade.
Accompanied by the head of the EU Mission in Liberia, Ambassador Attilo Paciffici, Conaro said provision of financial and material assistance to Ebola affected countries during these difficult times is the “best way to demonstrate international partnership, rather than sitting to witness the death of more people”.
He declared that the EU, as a long time and a strong partner, would continue to support Liberia in its fight against Ebola as well as in its post-Ebola recovery, adding “one way the EU has demonstrated its engagement is to keep Brussels Airlines flying to Liberia”.
Mr. Conaro further committed the EU to supporting Liberia’s long term programs, including education, agriculture and economic revitalization and pledged to “push Liberia’s case” at the United Nations.
The EU Deputy Director General disclosed that officials of EuropeAid had already met with the Ugandan General heading the African Union deployment to affected countries, Major-General Dr. Julius Faeki Okettathe, about how it was engaging the Liberian Government to eradicate the killer disease.
Mr. Conaro condemned actions by countries and institutions, especially African countries, which have decided to ostracize Ebola-affected countries as the result of the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease.
“The EU will rather help the world isolate the Ebola virus disease rather than isolate the affected countries”, he assured.