By Aminata Phidelia Allie
The visiting United States Permanent Representative to the UN, Samantha Power, has assured Sierra Leone of her country's commitment to defeating Ebola in Sierra Leone.
She was giving an update of her travels to the sub-region, especially in the 3 Ebola crisis countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. She said safer burials were being done and people were becoming aware that they could no longer bury their loved ones like they used to.
She commended the country's burial teams, whom she said had scored over 90% in the last five days in the discharge of their duty.
Ambassador Power, who says she was in the country to express President Barack Obama’s support and solidarity to Sierra Leone, revealed that the epidemic was presently being regarded as “a national security priority” in the States.
She said the American government was working in close partnership with the Sierra Leonean government to stop the disease at all cost.
At present, she said, there were 59 US experts the country, adding that “there is hope in Sierra Leone”. She said: “Sierra Leone and its people have gone through some of the most horrible things in the world but as we stood with you then so also will we stand with you now. She assured that her country would stand with Sierra Leone both in physical security and in dignity. She assured that Sierra Leone and its people would never be stigmatized by the international community.
Ambassador Power explained that she and her envoy had seen “the most scene” when they visited the trainings facilities at the national stadium where military personnel are being trained by British soldiers on how to handle and manage the crisis. She said she was particularly touched by the sight of young people “who should be in universities by now coming forward to get the training so that they can take care of their brothers and sisters”.
She said the young people had been driven by a sheer sense of duty to their country “and the US finds them patriotic and inspiring” and implored the media to report the crisis responsibly, noting that journalists were part of the solution to the crisis. “You have a responsibility because you are all citizens”, she said.
Though challenges like empty offices that needed to be furnished remained, Ambassador Power commended the Sierra Leonean government for raising their hopes, stating that they were very encouraged by the turn in events.
© Politico 28/10/14
