Right now, WFP is doing something it has never done before.
Over the years, WFP's logistics and engineering staff have teamed up to build state-of-the-art warehouses in Afghanistan, rehabilitate remote airstrips in Mali and build roads for thousands of kilometres in South Sudan. But this time, a new challenge has come our way.
At the request of WHO, WFP is building Ebola Treatment Units in Monrovia. Located at two different sites in the capital, these ETUs will accommodate 400 beds, helping the country fight the Ebola outbreak.
Over the past couple of weeks, staff and partners from all across WFP leapt in action -- from the north of Europe, all the way down to Italy and Liberia. Logisticians and engineers worked hand-in-hand to coordinate efforts for the first-ever WFP-constructed health centres. Working closely with medical experts at MSF and WHO, together WFP engineers planned the layout and technical specifications required for the ETUs.
Based on this, the operational plan was organized, including sourcing the main structures, hiring local workers and a construction partner to support, as well as purchasing building materials. Across the two sites, WFP has worked to level and lay the ground work for sewage and clean water facilities across over 30,000m2 – the surface area of six football fields!
While the groundworks were going on in Monrovia, WFP through UNHRD, procured 33 large storage tents and generators in Oslo, Norway, and filled up a massive cargo plane of operational equipment to be used for logistics operations. The cargo was airlifted directly to Monrovia, where it was transported to the two sites.
WFP Project Manager Kennet Blixt explains there have been challenges with the construction on-site, including heaving rains. “It was pouring rain for weeks, making the work tough going,” noted Kennet, “But the fact that we are continuing to deliver is really building the trust of the local communities that WFP delivers on its commitments.”
Everyday, WFP teams across the globe are working around clock to support field engineers and logistics staff to ensure that works continue all day long.... even at night!
Within the coming days, the ETUs will gradually be transferred over to WHO, but WFP’s work doesn’t end there – staff are already working on more ETUs in Guinea, at the request of the Government.