MONROVIA, LIBERIA:  The Embassies of Ireland and Sweden have assured that they will continue partnering with Liberia to support the Country’s response to COVID-19.

The Embassies said COVID-19 is posing unprecedented challenges to countries across the world and to vulnerable people, including those in prisons.

The Embassies’ statement was contained in a message conveyed by UNDP Resident Representatives, Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai, when the UN Agency donated COVID-19 prevention materials to the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Correction.

Dr. Beyai said the Embassies of Sweden and Ireland procured the materials, with funding from the two Governments through Irish Aid, as part of their longtime support to Liberia’s security sector through UNDP.

Meanwhile, the UNDP Resident Representative is encouraging relevant policymakers to consider de-congesting prison centers across the world to reduce the impact of any possible COVID-19 incidence.

Dr. Beyai said the early release of low risk inmates is a good practice that has recently been used elsewhere in Africa to respond to the pandemic in prisons.

A UNDP release issued Thursday, May 28, 2020, said Dr. Beyai spoke Wednesday, May 27, 2020, when the Organization donated COVID-19 prevention materials to the Liberia National Police and the Bureau of Correction, under UNDP’s Joint Rule of Law Program, with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights.

Receiving the materials, on behalf of their respective entities,  Police Inspector-General, Patrick Sudue, and Assistant Minister at the Bureau of Correction, Eddie Trawally, expressed appreciation to UNDP and the donors for their support to Liberia’s security sector in the fight against the Coronavirus.

Materials donated include mega phones, hand sanitizers, hand washing buckets, bleach disinfectants, examination gloves, among others.