IMF reaffirms commitment to support Liberia’s economy after Ebola

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, said that the $130 million Fund given to Liberia was aimed at supporting that country’s economy as it recovers from the Ebola epidemic.

It would be recalled that the fund was given as part of new financing and debt relief for Liberia during the crisis.

Speaking after talks with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Lagarde praised Liberia for its hard work in battling the deadly virus.

It became the first of the three West African countries ravaged by the worst Ebola outbreak on record to declare itself free of the disease.

Over 11,000 people have died in West Africa since the epidemic erupted more than 18 months ago with Liberia being the hardest hit, with over 4,800 deaths.

“Stay the course in the direction of improving the economy of Liberia.

“That makes your massive effort of conducting democracy and growth in a post-conflict, post-epidemiological environment even much difficult.

“You have the road map, you have a plan and we want to cooperate,” She also stated at a news conference.

The country was declared Ebola-free in May but more cases appeared in late June, probably via transmission from sexual contact as the virus can survive in semen well beyond the usual 21-day incubation period.

However, Liberia was declared free of the Ebola virus for a second time on Sept. 3, entering a 90-day period of heightened surveillance