By Mambu James Kpargoi, Monrovia
The Liberia National Cross Society (LNRCS) on Tuesday broke grounds for the construction of a multi-purpose Disaster Management Center and Guest House in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.
The Center will serve as a rapid response mechanism for disasters in central and north eastern Liberia. When completed, it will include training facilities, a warehouse for disaster preparedness and a 20 bed room guest house.

Performing the ground breaking ceremony, LNRCS President Theresa Leigh-Sherman said disasters are very destructive phenomena and as a humanitarian organization, the Liberian Red Cross is engaging in the construction of disaster management centers in regions around the country to be able to promptly respond to disasters.

Mrs. Leigh-Sherman said the construction of disaster management centers was cardinal to the LNRCS’ efforts towards self sustainability. She thanked the Danish and British Red Cross Societies and the Nimba County authority for their immense support to the project.

The Program Delegate of the Danish Red Cross in Liberia, Else Marie Buck said the construction of the center is an important step in making development sustainable, and essential in managing disasters in the region. She pledged the Danish Red Cross’ continuous support to the LNRCS and hoped that the project will build the capacity of the communities to manage disasters.

The head of United Nations System Field Office in Sanniquellie, Dr. Wesley Bokati Natana thanked the leadership of the LNRCS for the project in the county and said that the UN System will continue to work together with the Red Cross to improve the living conditions of the people of Nimba and the country at large in all areas of development as stipulated in the County Development Agenda and Poverty Reduction Strategy.

During the visit, the LNRCS also donated assorted non food items to inmates of the Sanniquellie Central Prison and infant and children patients at the G.W. Harley Government Hospital also in Sanniquellie.

The supplies included used clothes, blankets, plastic buckets, mats and hygiene kits which comprised toothpaste, bath and washing soaps, tooth brushes, etc.

The LNRCS delegation as part of the visit also monitored and dedicated Community Based Health and Disaster Management Projects in three communities in Nimba County. The projects included hand pumps, latrines and traditional birth attendant centers in New Sanniquellie, Karnlah and Gbeleyee.

The LNRCS Delegation headed by President Leigh-Sherman, included Secretary General Daniel S. Clarke, and the Director of Resource Development and Communication Maxwell S. George.