Monrovia, 20, November 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) in Liberia is committed to fostering strong partnerships with governments, international organizations, civil society organizations, and the private sector, as it contributes towards the Health agenda for the Government of Liberia. In this quarter, we highlight two key partnership engagements aimed at enhancing health outcomes in Liberia.

On October 31, 2023, WHO Liberia welcomed the Honorable Ambassador of France to Liberia, Ms. Isabelle Le Guellec, for an insightful meeting at the WHO Country Office. The Ambassador's visit aimed to deepen her understanding of WHO's efforts in enhancing the health and well-being of the Liberian people.

During the meeting, the WHO Representative, Dr. Peter Clement, and the External Relations Officer, Elton Tanyanyiwa, engaged in a productive dialogue with the Ambassador regarding the health interventions supported by the French Government through agencies such as the Agence Française de Development (AFD) and Medicines Sans Frontières (MSF). These interventions span a range of critical health areas, including Maternal and Newborn Health, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a health determinant.

Both parties expressed a shared desire to strengthen collaboration in these crucial areas. The discussions highlighted the potential for enhanced partnerships, particularly in addressing the challenges and disparities faced by women and girls in accessing quality healthcare services.

Strengthening ties with USAID for Health Security advancement in Liberia

USAID in Liberia has and continues to be one of WHO’s trusted partners in public health delivery. In a testament to the enduring partnership between WHO Liberia and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ms. Sandra Bird, the newly appointed USAID Liberia Health Office Director, paid a courtesy visit to the WHO Country Office on November 7, 2023.

The meeting presented an opportunity for Ms. Bird to formally introduce herself to the WHO Representative Dr. Peter Clement, who was joined by some of his team members, including Dr Musu Duworko (FRH Team lead), Dr Suleiman Abdullahi (EPI Team Lead), Roland Tuopileyi (EPI Officer) and Elton Tanyanyiwa (External Relations Officer). The discussion centered on exploring avenues for continued collaboration between WHO and USAID in addressing Liberia's pressing health priorities.

The WHO Representative expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support provided by USAID through various projects, particularly those related to the COVID-19 response and the ongoing projects on integrating COVID-19 into routine healthcare services and ensuring safe blood transfusion practices.

Ms. Bird informed the meeting that the USAID Cooperation Strategy for Liberia, due to expire in 2023, would be extended for an additional year while a new strategy for 2025 onwards is under development. Although the specific commitments for Liberia in 2024 remain to be finalized, she reiterated USAID's continued dedication to supporting health security initiatives in the country.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between WHO and USAID, underscoring their shared commitment to strengthening health systems, improving health outcomes, and building a healthier, more resilient Liberia.

These two partnerships exemplify WHO's commitment to working with partners to achieve its shared vision of a healthier Liberia. Through collaboration, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to address the Liberia health challenges and ensure that all Liberians have access to quality healthcare.