Helen Clark, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) arrives in Freetown on Monday 16 February for a three-day visit.
Her visit to Sierra Leone comes in part of a one-week call on the three most-affected countries by the Ebola virus disease: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Administrator kicked off her visit to Sierra Leone this evening. Over the next few days, she will meet with His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, as well as Ebola survivors, people living with disabilities and communities who have endured the Ebola crisis. She will also visit UNDP’s Ebola response projects in the country.
The UNDP Chief has been tasked by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to lead the UN system-wide post Ebola recovery effort.
“In Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone UNDP is leading the UN’s response on Ebola recovery. We are working with partners within and outside the UN to conduct impact and recovery assessments and helping to ensure their efforts are mutually reinforcing,” Helen Clark said.
The UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, David McLachlan-Karr said UNDP has played key role in the Ebola response particularly in fast tracking the payment of health workers battling Ebola, a fight not yet won.
“It’s too early to declare victory over Ebola in Sierra Leone, but over the next two to three months, the Ebola Recovery Strategy will cover the areas that are needed to bridge the gap,” Mr. McLachlan-Karr said.
The visit of the Administrator aims at affirming the continued commitment of the UN to addressing the ongoing crisis, and support for the recovery process. “The purpose of my visit to the three countries most-affected by the disease is to affirm the UN’s continued commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis, and support for the recovery process,” the Administrator said.
As part of the overall response, UNDP’s recovery initiatives are focused on four pillars: economic opportunities and jobs; recovery of the health system; resilient governance for recovery, peace and stability; and risk management to deal with any future outbreaks.
The Administrator wraps up her visit on Wednesday.
For more information please contact:
In New York:
Nicolas Douillet, Communications Specialist, UNDP Africa. Tel: +1.212.906.5937. Nicolas.douillet@undp.org
In Freetown:
Abdul Karim Bah, Communications Officer, Mobile +232 (0)78272315, abdul-karim.bah@undp.org;
Lesley Wright, Communications Specialist, Mobile +232 (0)78950001, lesley.wright@undp.org;
