By Foday Moriba Conteh
Starting on the 28th May and running up to the 6th June 2020 the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development will continue to execute the presentation of Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) as District Leads to the District Emergency Operation Centers.
The event, which was held at the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre in Freetown was geared towards recognizing the role of INGOs in the COVID-19 response for Sierra Leone. The response package recognizes the need for coordination and collaboration in putting up a constructive fight against the pandemic in the country among players from the Government and development partners.
Presenting the INGO Response Leads for Western Area Urban and Rural, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai said the President Bio-led Government had taken a step further to enhance the COVID19 response in partnering with INGOs. He noted that the INGOs were willing and capable to come forward to enhance Government’s efforts working with the National Coordinators across the country.
“As a Ministry, we will do an immediate follow-up to this introduction by presenting the District INGO Lead Representatives to the various District EOCs and NGOs around the country. This process will minimize duplication of efforts and ensure limited resources are effectively utilized to achieve maximum impact together”, Dr. Kai-Kai ended.
The Deputy Interim National COVID-19 Response Coordinator and Deputy Minister of Finance, Sheku A.F. Bangura thanked the INGOs for the gesture presented. He noted that the support was a valuable addition to Government’s resources. Mr. Bangura re-echoed President Bio’s commitment to replicating the National COVID19 architecture at district level.
Paul Emes, the Head of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), acknowledging Government’s strategic determination and leadership in such a difficult time noting that they would ensure the gaps and overlaps are minimized so that the limited resources available are used in the most focused way to realize Government’s vision.
The NGO District Leads would help district officials to better coordinate the work and information around the COVID-19 preparedness and response.
The Team travelled to Kambia and Port Loko District next, where the Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh thanked and admonished the Leads on the Government’s commitment to fighting COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.
