…MoPED COMMENCES THE INTRODUCTION OF DISTRICT INGOs/NNGOs COVID RESPONSE LEADS
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has commenced the presentation of Non-governmental Organizations (International and National) as District Leads to support the national and district COVID-19 Emergency Response Centers (NACOVERC). The exercise would last between the 28th May to 6th June 2020.
The event, which was held at the NACOVERC in Freetown was geared towards recognizing the role of INGOs as well as the NNGOs in Sierra Leone’s National COVID-19 response. 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 the development partners.
Presenting the INGOs and NNGOs 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 by partnering with the NGO Community. He noted that the INGOs were particularly willing, capable and ready to come forward to enhance government’s efforts working with the National and district 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 ERCs and NGO Community 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 their laudable gesture. 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.
The INGOs, NNGOs including the Head of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Concern Worldwide and Focus 1000 among others while acknowledging government’s strategic determination and leadership in such difficult times, noted 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 the government’s vision.
The NGO District COVID-19 Leads, were nominated by SLANGO and the INGO Steering Committee in consultation with MoPED. They would bring resources and delivery capacity to the district and help the district COVID-19 response officials and stakeholders coordinate the work and information around the preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MOPED Team led by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Robert Chakanda traveled to Port Loko and Kambia Districts on Friday 29th May. At the Port Loko DACOVERC, the introduction of the NGO COVID-19 Leads was done by the Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh who admonished the Leads on the government’s commitment to the COVID fight in Sierra Leone.
©️MOPED COMMS TEAM
