Gardnerville- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has donated thirty (30) brand-new Yamaha Motorbikes and Laboratory Surveillance Materials to the Ministry of Agriculture.
By Francis G. Boayue
The materials funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are intended for Community Animal Health Workers to detect, respond to, and report disease situations in their communities.
Speaking Tuesday at the turning over ceremony in Gardnersville, Food and Agriculture Organization Emergency Center Team for Trans-boundary Animals Disease lead person Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed proxying for FAO Country Representative Bintia Tchicaya, said the initiative was predicated on raising concerns of lack of mobility hindering the Health Worker’s ability to carry out their functions efficiently.
“The Community Animals Health Workers (CAHWs) being at the focus point to detect, respond and report disease situation in their various communities which had some limitation in visiting animal farms and disease risk areas that are not within walking distance”, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed stressed, adding that due to numerous reports from Community Animals Health Workers regarding the lack of transportation hindering their ability to perform tasks efficiently, the USAID approved the provision for procurement of motorbikes under the USAID-funded ECTAD –Global Health Security Program ( GHSP) FY-23 work plan.
He further added that the Motorcycles aim to significantly reduce the time it takes for surveillance reports and disease outbreak suspicion to reach the epic unit and for samples to be sent to the laboratory for analysis, something he said will enable swift interventions, ensure accurate data collection, and support the overall efficiency of the surveillance system and disease control.
According to him, the donation is part of initial efforts to strengthen the capacity of Community Animal Workers to access remote communities, thus promising that the purchase of additional motorbikes will depend on the level of improvement in performance observed as a result of the support.
For his part, United States Agency for International Development Mission Director Jim Wright said the American Government’s support to the Ministry of Health & Agriculture is aimed at mitigating and improving health outcomes and stimulating economic growth.
“Liberia faces ongoing challenges from zoonotic diseases, which are defined as “an infection or disease that is transmissible from animals to human under natural conditions, Zoonotic diseases such as anthrax, brucellosis and rabies impact public health, food security and economic stability”, USAID Mission Director Jim Wright asserted.
According to him, in Liberia, Community Animal Health Workers play a critical role, particularly in rural areas where they provide essential services to livestock and Agricultural Communities like disease diagnosis and treatment –helping to reduce risks related to poverty, public health, food security, and nutrition, thereby calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure sustained maintenance, therefore urging Community Animals Health Workers to use the equipment in expanding their reach and respond to diseases more effectively.
“Acknowledging the serious budget constraints faced by the Ministry of Agriculecture, I nevertheless call on it to ensure that the investment in these motorbikes and lab tools is sustained through maintenance and operation, I urge Country ownership and accountability are fundamental to ensuring long-term solutions and sustaining the gains that we have made to date”, he added.
Receiving the Equipment on behalf of the Government of Liberia, Ministry of Agriculture Assistant Minister for Administration P. Folton Blasin lauded the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United States Agency for International Development for the gesture which he said is their vision in tackling Animals-affected diseases.
“With these motorbikes, our Community Animal Health Workers will be empowered to respond more swiftly and effectively to health emergencies, ensuring that animals receive the care they require without delay”, Minister Blasin said.
He further said the donation is a testament to building a stronger and healthier community where both Animals and their caretakers can thrive.
The FAO has made significant contributions to Liberia focusing on Food Security, Capacity building and training fisheries and Agriculture, sustainable land Management livelihood development for women and youth, and emergency and resilience building among others.
The Food and Agriculture Organization’s efforts in Liberia have contributed to increased agricultural productivity, improved food security, and strengthened the resilience of rural communities against crises and environmental challenges.
