MCC Commits to Liberia Post-Ebola Recovery

The Millennium Challenge Corporation has pledged its commitment to assisting the government of Liberia in supporting a post-Ebola Economic Stabilization and Recovery Plan.

Speaking in Washington DC over the weekend, the MCC Executive Officer, Ms. Dana J. Hyde, the MCC’s Executive Director said it was crucial for the government of Liberia to immediately begin engaging with partners.

She made the disclosure during a meeting with the Liberia’s Finance and Development Planning Minister Amara Konneh and delegation currently attending the World Bank annual meeting in Washington DC.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent, bilateral U.S. Government foreign aid agency established by Congress that is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic prosperity, applying a set of innovative philosophy to foreign aid administration.

In 2010, the MCC and government of Liberia signed a $15 million threshold program grant agreement that focused on improving land rights and access, increasing girls’ primary education enrollment and retention, and improving Liberia trade policy and practices.

On the possible threat to Liberia’s Liberia to achieve all the indicators amidst the Ebola epidemic, Ms. Hyde said, the MCC recognized the impact of the crisis and was willing to work with Liberia in exploring ways to identify areas for medium and long term intervention, possibly including accelerating the disbursement of the initial seed fund to help with the recovery effort.

“We are committed to accelerating with a plan to move Liberia forward. We will play key role in the economy recovery. We will do things differently this time. We will definitely partner in the recovery process to help Liberia move forward”, Hyde concluded.

Earlier, Minister Konneh provided an overview of the government’s effort in combating the deadly Ebola virus. Highlighting the efforts of various agencies, including US, he said Ebola has gravely undermined the health system and Liberia’s ailing economy, stressing “the thinking and assumption that underpin the economy needs review.”

Stressing the need for more support to increase its fiscal space and promote macroeconomic stability, Minister Konneh said it is critical for all partners to “sustain our engagement and expedite resources so that when recovery starts, there is money to jump start the post-Ebola recovery activity,” Minister Konneh urged.

Minister Konneh was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Development Planning, Dr. Mounir Siaplay and the President of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment, Mr. John Davis.