APS Donation Ceremony
APS Donation Ceremony Redemption Hospital
All protocols observed.
I am delighted to be here today in a demonstration of U.S. assistance to many Liberian institutions through the Africa Partnership Station. While the Africa Partnership Station's principal mission is to enhance maritime safety and security expertise around the Gulf of Guinea, it is also the vehicle for the delivery of a considerable amount of humanitarian and technical assistance to countries in West Africa. The United States works with representatives from other countries that have been participating in the APS up and down the West coast of Africa. Currently, officers from several European and South American countries as well as representatives from Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, Gabon, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, and Kenya, are serving in critical leadership positions aboard the APS ships.
We are here today at Redemption Hospital, one of the many medical sites that will benefit from APS training and assistance. I'd like to commend the Redemption staff here for their hard work with limited resources to provide FREE medical care to Liberian patients in need. I would also like to recognize the representatives from the Ministry of Health, EBK Clinic, the JFK Medical Center, and Logan Town Clinic present here with us today. We are also grateful to have several NGOs such as MERCI, John Snow Incorporated, and International Medical Corps which aid the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in providing urgent medical services to the interior of Liberia. I hope that the assistance APS is providing all of you will help you care for Liberians in need and also strengthen your operations.
Along with health, education is also critical to the continued recovery of Liberia and its people. To that end the U.S. Navy teamed up with the United Methodist Church's General Education and Ministry Department through the Project Hand Clasp Program to transport desks, toys, clothes, backpacks, books, pencils and pens provided by the U.S.-based United Methodist Midwest Mission Distribution Center. In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the United Methodist Church owns and operates 143 schools in Liberia.
In all, the U.S. Government and American NGOs and corporations have dispersed over $5 million toward Liberia through the African Partnership Station, including more than $250,000 in medical and education supplies this year alone. I would like to thank our Military and American companies for their continued generosity.
But, APS is much more than donated medical and education supplies. Its primary function is to help train for West African armies, navies, and coast guards. Sixteen members of the APS U.S. Marines from APS will spend almost a month here working with the Armed Forces of Liberia. They are providing training in Leadership, Combat Life Saving, First Aid, Logistics, Crowd and Detainee Handling, and Ground Safety.
This representational donation is just a small part of our ongoing commitment to this country and the wellbeing and security of all the Liberian people. We look forward to other cooperative endeavors in medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry later in 2009. Together with Navy medics, Project Hope is providing care to Liberian patients and medical training on the topics of midwifery, food handling and sanitation, first aid, dentistry, and hygiene to Liberian medical personnel. Along with USAID, vet team will be assisting with vaccination, general care, and treatment of livestock and pets. The Navy Seabees will also again be working alongside the AFL soldiers on construction projects. The U.S. Navy Ship, the USS Nashville, will be returning this month and hosting ship visits.
As evidenced by the diversity of programs conducted through the Africa Partnership Station, the United States and Liberia are partners and friends in many areas. I am pleased that this year's APS visit is thus far going so well and trust that benefits will continue long after today’s ceremony. Thank you.