50 newly trained emergency responders join the Liberia African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) Strengthening & Utilizing Response Groups for Emergencies (SURGE)
Fifty Liberian professionals have successfully completed the month-long AVoHC-SURGE training program designed to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies. The collaboration, led by the Government of Liberia and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the Government of Canada, aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
AVoHC-SURGE training is an important component of the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Flagship Roadmap, providing participants with key skills in areas such as Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEEC) management, humanitarian and health cluster coordination, gender-based violence ( GBV) Prevention and Response, Prevention and Response of Sexual Exploitation, Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Emergencies (PRSEAH) and Rapid Response Team (RRT) operations.
“I am honored to be a member of the SURGE team and deeply proud to serve alongside colleagues who are committed to serving the people of the African continent,” said Lt. Col. Dr. Joseph BN Kowo Jr., Assistant Chief of Staff for Armed Health Services. The Liberian Health Services Corps is now part of the Liberia SURGE team. “The military has long played a critical role in public health emergencies, as evidenced by our responses to Ebola, COVID-19 and the current outbreak. This comprehensive training ensures we are fully prepared, Being able to respond effectively as a unified force when emergencies occur,” he added.
This intensive program focuses on improving participants’ ability to effectively mobilize human resources and respond to humanitarian crises and health emergencies during the critical first 48 hours.
During the graduation ceremony, Dr. Caullau J. Howe, Assistant Secretary of Preventive Services, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, “This group of individuals represents a critical step forward in our preparedness. Liberia faces numerous public Health challenges, including Ebola and COVID-19, highlight the urgent need for this vital training.”
On behalf of WHO, Dr. Musu Julie Duworko thanked the participants for their dedication and commitment throughout the intensive training programme. She stressed that the graduates are now part of the WHO roster and may be called upon for emergency deployment in Liberia and other countries in need of assistance.
“I would like to thank the Government of Liberia, the World Health Organization, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Government of Canada and assure them that the tremendous effort invested in this training will not be in vain. We are fully prepared to effectively respond to the country’s and any outbreak in the wider region,” said Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Joseph BN Kowo, representing SURGE graduates.
AVoHC refers to the Africa CDC’s initiative “Africa CDC’s Africa Volunteer Health Corps Initiative.” SURGE refers to the World Health Organization’s initiative “Strengthening and Utilizing Emergency Response Teams.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization – Liberia.
