Local Voices Liberia

Around The Country: Updates From Five Counties – October 29, 2020

Stay informed with happenings in your county, follow LocalVoicesLiberia every week day for the latest update on the Special Senatorial elections, COVID-19 and other important developments.


Grand Kru County: Fire Leaves Several Persons Homeless; Properties Damaged


Eyewitnesses said the fire intensified after it gutted a room storing drums of gasoline | Photo By: Regina Juwle Raymonds in Barclayville

Several persons have been made homeless with properties destroyed due to a fire disaster in the Seedee Compound community in Barclayville.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 28, after the fire broke out at a business center belonging to Helbert Gaddeh, who owns a drug store, boutique and several other businesses.

Eyewitnesses said the fire started when a coal pot was lighted by the wife of Mr. Gaddeh where another occupant had gone to measure gasoline in the kitchen of the house. They said the business center had in its storage 12 drums of petroleum. Eyewitness said this inflamed the fire.

Mr. Gaddeh could not speak to LocalVoicesLiberia because he was in a state of confusion.

Mr. Gaddeh is a former chairman for the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change and also a newly elected second Vice Chairman of the Liberia National Red Cross Society, Grand Kru Chapter.

Meanwhile, the business community in the county have sent out a solidarity message to the family.


Grand Bassa County: NGO Donates Materials to Buttress Covid-19 Response


Several buckets and drums intended to buttress hand washing were donated to the district’s health center by Mercy Corps | Photo By: Elton Wrionbee Tiah in Buchanan.

As the fight against COVID-19 continues, Mercy Corps has donated a consignment of assorted anti-coronavirus supplies to the Owensgroove District Health Center in Grand Bassa County.

Making the donation on Wednesday, October 28, the Health Advisor of the Save Program at Mercy Corps, Mrs.  Melvin Johnson Oliver said the Institution was happy to respond to an SOS request from the County Health Team to support the ongoing efforts against the pandemic.

Materials donated include, soap, buckets, water drums, nose masks, hand sanitizer and alcohol. Public health experts say these materials are essential to preventing the spread of the disease.

Mrs. Oliver lauded the efforts of the County Health Team for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 and pledged Mercy Corps continued support to the CHT.

For his part, the District Health Officer, Mr. Larry Debah, thanked the NGO for the donation and its overall support to the count sector.


Bong County: Lawmaker Boost Local Agriculture Sector


Women working on the farm of lawmaker Cole in Suakoko, Bong County | Photo By: Emmanuel Mafaleh in Gbarnga

Bong County electoral district #3 representative Josiah Marvin Cole says investing in agriculture is one of the “best ways to boost Liberia’s struggling economy and end poverty”.

Hon. Cole said the future of the county largely depends on its agricultural sector, which he described as “the county’s best bet for growth and development”. He wants people of the county to venture into farming in order to become self-reliant.

“Agriculture pays a lot my fellow citizens. Our soil is rich; let us make some maximum use of it,” Cole said recently in Suakoko during the event marking the start of his rice farm. “We can’t continue to be baggers, let us plant potatoes, peppers, cassava, corn, rice and among others”.

Representative Cole then assured locals that as their “son and lawmaker”, he will continue to work with communities to ensure the county regains its pre-war food security status.


Maryland County: Girl, 4, Drowns in River


The lifeless body of little Salnamie Kumeh’s was discovered after frantic search by both her family and residents | Photo By: Bryan Dioh in Harper City

A four-year-old girl has die as a result of drowning in the Hoffman River in Harper city. Residents assumed the child had gone to swim in the river.

According to the Liberia National Police, the incident was reported by some residents of Hoffman Station that little Salnamie Kumeh’s lifeless body was discovered after rigorous search by both family members and residents.

Upon the discovery of the body, a 15-man coroner Jury was set up to examine the body. The jury reported that there was no foul play.

Medical report has also revealed that little Salami died as a result of drowning. Her remains have been turned over to the family for burial.

Meanwhile, many residents have expressed frustration over the death of the four-year-old who they described as a “kind and lovely kid” and some expressed concern that it is risky for children who play in the river.

“Every time we will talk to those little children to leave the river but they will refuse and see what it has led to,” said a sad Thomas Bedell, who is a resident of Hoffman Station community.


Grand Gedeh County: Women Group Holds Session on Covid-19 Response


Participants shared their experiences, role played, and challenges they encountered during the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak in the County | Photo By: Ben T.C. Brooks in Zwedru

The Southeastern Women Development Association Grand Gedeh Chapter has concluded a weeklong feedback session on Covid-19 response in their project communities.

Participants at each session shared experiences, role played, and challenges encountered during the peak of the outbreak in the county.

Speaking to LocalVoicesLiberia in Putu Pertrokon, SEWODA project officer Belleh G. Tarr said the feedback meetings were held to know community members’ involvement during the fight and also enable the organization develop new plans for post Covid-19.

Tarr praised communities members, the county health team and the local leadership for their “collective collaboration” in response to the outbreak.

With funding from DAI, SEWODA’s Grand Gedeh Chapter was a member of the county’s response team in all four administrative districts — Putu Cavalla, Gboa, Tchine and B’hai districts.

Meanwhile, some community members who attended the feedback sessions praised the women NGO for their role during the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

 


This content sharing  initiative is  supported by Internews under the Liberia Media Development program with funding from USAID-Liberia. The funder has no say in the gathering of these contents. Contents here do not reflect the view of the funder.


 

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