The International Contact Group on Liberia (ICGL) has reaffirmed its support for the TRC process, saying it is impressed with progress made by the commission.

Leading an 8- member delegation from Monrovia of the ICGL Wednesday to observe ongoing hearings of the TRC currently taking place in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Liberia for Rule of Law, Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu, expressed support for the TRC and thanked the Commission for its hard work and commitment in implementing it’s mandate thus far.

	• H. Mensah-Bonsu

“We want to thank you, the Commissioners, for having come this far. This has only been made possible through teamwork, commitment on the part of Commissioners to get the job done, and because of the collaboration with the international community”. 

Professor Mensah-Bonsu stated that the ICGL has high expectations of the TRC and is therefore pleased that the Commission is well on course to achieving its objectives.

She added that despite the many challenges the Commission has had to face, it has shown the fortitude and goodwill towards the implementation of its mandate.

Dr. Charlotte Abaka, Representative of the Independent expert on the promotion and protection of human rights in Liberia thanked commissioners of the TRC for the immense progress made in the work of the commission, adding that the international community is very interested in the work of the TRC.

“We've long waited for this day. Our hearts jumped with joy when we were informed that hearings in rural Liberia have begun. There is a lot of interest in our report always in the work of the TRC and we are glad to see that the Commission is doing fine”. Abaka said.

Dr. Abaka, who represents the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that the team was visiting Zwedru to physically witness firsthand the work of the TRC, and was confident that the TRC will achieve its mandate despite the difficulties.

In a related development, a delegation from the International Contact Group on Liberia (ICGL), also on Wednesday, met with the Commissioners in a separate meeting in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, United Kingdom Political Counselor in Liberia, Mr. Andrew Mace, expressed gratitude to TRC Commissioners for the opportunity afforded him to work with the Commission.

Mr. Mace who has ended his assignment in Liberia, and was a member of the TRC/ICGL working group said he was overwhelmed with joy to see the Commission doing so well following initial difficulties. He pledged the British government’s continuous support to the work of the TRC.

	• Cllr. Jerome Verdier

Other members of the ICGL delegations were: Mr. Anders Ostman, Consular of the embassy of Sweden and Ms. Kristen K. Grauer, Political Officer of the United States Embassy in Monrovia and Ms. Gillian Dare the new political Counselor of the British Mission to Liberia.

Responding, the Chairman of the Commission, Cllr. Jerome Verdier expressed satisfaction over the visit of the delegations to visit and observe the TRC public hearings in Grand Gedeh County and thank them for the goodwill.

He assured the delegations and Liberians of the unwavering commitment of the Commissioner to achieve the mandate of the TRC.

ICRC Pays Homage To Traditional Midwives

The ICRC seizes the opportunity of the Celebration of Women's Day to pay a special tribute to the trained traditional midwives of Liberia. Although traditional midwives have been practicing for decades, the years of war prevented them from benefiting proper medical and hygiene trainings.

ICRC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, offered 257 traditional midwives a six-month training course to develop their skills in Antenatal care, Deliveries, Post partum and New Born Care.

In addition to the training ICRC also provided the participants with delivery kits (hygiene and basic medical items to ensure the safest environment for the childbirth).

ICRC is enabling the traditional midwives to give health education messages to the pregnant women, detect the risk of pregnancy and refer them to the relevant hospitals and health centers.

They can also provide advice about the nutrition of the new born and the vaccinations. "Traditional midwives are playing a vital role in their communities”, explains Riccardo Conti, ICRC head of delegation.

“Lots of villages, especially in Grand Kru, lack basic maternal care. Those communities are isolated from health facilities. Reinforcing the skills of the traditional midwives is therefore essential for the pregnant women and their children", Conti added.

Over the last 12 months, 172 traditional midwives have been trained in Lofa and Grand Kru counties. The training is ongoing.