Radisson Blu Hotel, Freetown, 25 November 2021— The Honorable Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh joined Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) to commemorate their 35 year history, appreciating their immense sacrifices in saving lives in Sierra Leone.
He made this acknowledgment at a photo exhibition event, which was to showcase MSF’s impressive development and humanitarian trajectory in Sierra Leone and to also celebrate their 35 years of extraordinary partnership.
Vice President Juldeh Jalloh said as a result of their tremendous work, dedication and service to the people of Sierra Leone encouraged His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio to honor MSF with one of the highest National Honors, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel (GCOOR) Award for service to Sierra Leone.
He said the conferment of the National Award speaks volume of President Bio’s deep insight and understanding of the work MSF continues to do for the People of Sierra Leone.
“I want to on behalf of His Excellency President Bio, his government and the people of Sierra Leone to thank MSF for their contribution to saving lives in this country. I am here to assure you that that appreciation is not only to thank you, but to continue building a strong partnership, particularly at a time when the government is trying to rethink and re-focus attention to providing additional support to the health sector”, he ended.
On his part, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams commended MSF’s specific support to the health sector, adding that their contributions towards the development and emergency response programs in our recent past has been remarkable.
The Deputy Minister informed the gathering that the Ministry has enthusiastically supported MSF’s application for Diplomatic Status and was working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other ministries to ensure MSF achieves its objective, noting that they were proud to support the process and ensure the signing of the document.
Mamadi Gobeh-Kamara, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in her statement confirmed that MSF’s activities continues its remarkable sense of duty in providing the much-needed support for Sierra Leone’s health institutions, as an international health organization.
She said the work of MSF over the years have indeed been significant, adding that her Ministry was in agreement in offering a diplomatic status in favor of MSF to ensure their activities remain embedded in the fabric of the country, but in a different capacity.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation II, Dr. Amara Jambai expressed his delight at the strong partnership with MSF they have continued to demonstrate, noting that as the parent Ministry to MSF, they were grateful for all the support MSF has provided in the health sector, particularly during national emergencies.
Whitney Ward, Country Director, MSF, on behalf of the entire MSF team offered his warmest and most sincere appreciation to the President Bio-led government and the people of Sierra Leone for their continued support.
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