World Bank, Japan to provide psychological support to Ebola victims
The Liberian Government and the World Bank Group in partnership with the Government of Japan, has launched a new 3 million dollar project to address the psychological effects of Liberia’s Ebola crisis.
The project, funded by Japan through the Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF), a trust fund administered by the World Bank, will also promote psychosocial health in the country and support Psychosocial Health and Resilience in Liberia to alleviate consequences of the epidemic.
The Carter Center will be implementing the three-year project, which is expected to reach approximately 18,000 beneficiaries in Montserrado (hosting Monrovia) and Margibi counties.
The World Bank Liberia Country Manager, Ms Inguna Dobraja, noted that, “the Psychosocial Health and Resilience project will respond to the most urgent psychosocial and mental health needs of the Ebola crisis, and will contribute to building psychosocial resilience at the individual and community level.”
Ms. Dobraja commended the Japanese Government for supporting the project and expressed optimism for a smooth working relation with the Ministry of Health and the Carter Center during the implementation of the project.
Dr. Bernice Dahn, the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Minister of Health of Liberia, recognized the contribution of the Carter Center in training over 100 mental health clinicians, who are currently providing services in the counties and commended the government of Japan and the World Bank for their support to help ease the psychosocial impact of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.
The Ambassador of Japan in Liberia, His Excellency Kaoru Yoshimura, emphasized his country’s continuing commitment in responding to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Liberia.
Dr. Janice Cooper, The Carter Center’s Project Lead for its Mental Health Programme in Liberia, noted that, the Ebola outbreak increased mental health and psychosocial issues of individuals and communities, and the project represented an opportunity to help heal the psychosocial consequences it left.
“The project’s innovative interventions will also help foster resilient individuals and communities that can contribute to the country’s continued recovery and development,” She added.
Dr. Rianna Mohammed-Roberts, the World Bank Senior Health Specialist and the Bank’s Task Team Leader responsible for Liberia’s health portfolio said, “the Japanese Social Development Fund will help mitigate the psychosocial impact of the Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia.”
She added that the implementation interventions will incorporate counseling, community dialogues and anti-stigma campaigns.
Source: GNA