AGP Executive Report

Maritime Safety & Health Supply Chains: Liberia and India launched a UN-backed “Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers,” warning that attacks on civilian vessels—from the Gulf to the Black Sea—can disrupt the movement of food, fuel, medicine and other essentials. Disaster Health Response: The EU pledged €200,000 for flooding and landslide recovery in Liberia, with Red Cross plans to support 6,125 people and prioritize multi-purpose cash, shelter rebuilding, healthcare, and protection—amid rising risks of waterborne and vector-borne illnesses. Ebola Workforce Crisis (Regional Health Watch): WHO says DR Congo is running short of health workers as Ebola spreads across seven provinces, with treatment centers adding beds but still lacking enough staff and partners. Nutrition & Livelihoods: A three-day cassava certified seed producer training in Bong highlights cassava as “new white gold,” linking improved varieties and commercialization to food security and income. Road Accident Care: Rep. Jacob Debee is hospitalized at Phebe Hospital in Bong after a highway crash; police are yet to release official details. Digital Rights & Health Systems: Liberia’s Cybercrime Act debate continues, with lawmakers stressing it protects citizens and critical services like hospitals while not meant to silence free speech.

Ebola Response Watch (DR Congo): WHO warns Congo is short of health workers to staff Ebola treatment centres as the outbreak spreads across seven provinces, with cases and deaths still rising in some areas despite improvements elsewhere. Child Nutrition Alarm (Liberia): A new report says aid cuts and higher costs are driving a tripling of acute childhood malnutrition, with many families unable to afford food for babies. Legal/Health Access (Liberia): Court denies bail to former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor; her lawyers say they’ll push the case to the Supreme Court. Water Crisis (Liberia): Safe drinking water is worsening in Gbonkonimah after the only public hand pump broke, pushing residents toward unsafe wells. Electricity Regulation (Nimba): LERC renews Jungle Energy Power’s distribution license, urging better reliability, customer service, and infrastructure investment. Cybercrime Law (Liberia): Senator Francis Dopoh says the Cybercrime Act is meant to curb online fraud and protect vulnerable groups—not silence free speech. Disaster Aid (Liberia): EU pledges €200,000 for flood and landslide recovery via the Red Cross, including cash assistance and health support. Maritime Climate Policy (Liberia): Liberia urges a fair, equitable IMO net-zero shipping approach so decarbonization doesn’t burden developing economies. Agriculture Push (Liberia): Government and IFAD launch a supervision mission to speed delivery across major IFAD-funded farm projects.

Ebola Workforce Strain in DR Congo: WHO warns Congo’s fast-growing Ebola outbreak is being worsened by a shortage of health workers, especially in North Kivu where cases jumped 73% in three weeks, even as some provinces show improvement. Child Malnutrition Alarm in Liberia: A new report says aid cuts and rising costs have tripled acute childhood malnutrition, with nearly one in four children dangerously malnourished and more than one in four stunted—raising long-term health risks. MOH Adolescent Health Push: Liberia’s Ministry of Health launched a five-year adolescent sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and protection strategy (2026–2031) to improve access to quality services and tackle social barriers. Maternal & Child Care Supplies: MOH began distributing additional medical equipment nationwide to strengthen maternal, newborn, and child healthcare, including neonatal and pediatric critical-care tools. Safe Water Crisis in Gbonkonimah: The community’s only public hand pump has failed for months, forcing many residents toward unsafe wells and increasing waterborne disease risk. Anti-Drug Awareness Campaign: MOH and partners rolled out a nationwide anti-drug awareness drive starting in Montserrado, alongside training for health supervisors and community health assistants. Agriculture Seed Milestone: CARI hit a major seed rice production milestone (over 100MT) after receiving AfDB machinery to boost mechanized farming. Flood Response: Liberia National Red Cross launched its third major disaster response of 2026, assisting over 7,500 people affected by flooding across six counties. UN Diplomacy & Shipping Climate Rules: Liberia highlighted a fair, practical net-zero approach for international shipping at UN talks, while President Boakai’s UNGA agenda spotlights health and development priorities.

Ebola Response in DRC: WHO warns the Democratic Republic of Congo is short of health workers as Ebola spreads, with North Kivu cases up sharply even as some areas show improvement; the outbreak is reported across seven provinces with thousands of cases and deaths, and staffing gaps are linked to unpaid wage disputes. Child Nutrition Crisis in Liberia: Aid cuts and rising prices are driving acute childhood malnutrition in Liberia, with a national survey cited as showing dangerously high levels of malnutrition and stunting and calls for urgent action as more babies die. Adolescent Health Strategy (MOH): Liberia’s Ministry of Health launches a five-year adolescent sexual and reproductive health, nutrition and protection strategy for 2026–2031, aiming to improve access to quality services and tackle social and behavioral barriers. Maternal & Child Care Supplies: MOH begins distributing additional medical equipment nationwide to strengthen maternal, newborn and child healthcare, including neonatal and pediatric critical care tools. Electricity Access: Liberia reports electricity access rising from 32% to 39% as LEC assesses new communities for possible grid expansion. Anti-Drug Awareness: Government launches an anti-drug awareness campaign starting in Montserrado, supported by UNICEF, alongside training for health supervisors and community health assistants. Drug Seizure at Border: LDEA arrests a Sierra Leonean at Bo-Waterside with over 1,500 tablets of suspected Tapentadol/Tramadol. Disaster Response: Liberia National Red Cross Society launches its third major 2026 disaster response for flood-affected families across six counties. Women in Local Governance: A cross-party program in Buchanan trains women political leaders on turning electoral influence into stronger county-level governance and accountability.

Ebola & Health Workforce: WHO warns DR Congo’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak is straining health staffing, especially in North Kivu where cases rose 73% in three weeks; the outbreak now spans seven provinces with 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths, and WHO says many people are dying before reaching treatment. Anti-Drug Prevention: Liberia’s Ministry of Health, with UNICEF support, launched a nationwide anti-drug awareness campaign starting in Montserrado, targeting schools and communities, alongside a 10-day training for health supervisors and community health assistants across 10 counties. Maternal & Child Care Supplies: Liberia’s MOH began distributing new medical equipment and essential supplies to strengthen maternal, newborn and child health, including neonatal and pediatric devices. Electricity Access: Liberia’s electricity access rose from 32% to 39% as LEC plans further grid expansion after technical assessments in Lofa and Grand Cape Mount. Digital Security: Liberia’s LTA calls for stronger Mano River Union cooperation to tackle cross-border cyber threats and build a more secure digital future. Flood Response: Liberia National Red Cross launched its third major disaster response, supporting over 7,500 people affected by flooding across six counties.

Maternal & Child Health Boost: Liberia’s Ministry of Health has started distributing new medical equipment and supplies to facilities nationwide, targeting maternal and newborn care plus pediatrics, diagnostics, surgery, anesthesia and critical care. Electricity Access Update: Government figures say electricity reach rose from 32% to 39% as LEC expands connections, with technical assessments underway in Lofa and Grand Cape Mount. Disaster Response: The Liberia National Red Cross Society launched its third major 2026 disaster response, assisting over 7,500 people affected by flooding across six counties. Digital Security for Health & Services: The LTA urged Mano River Union countries to coordinate against cross-border cyber threats after a regional internet governance forum in Paynesville. Women, Peace & Security Funding: Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan II told the UN that WPS must be funded through Liberia’s national budget, not only donor projects. Water & Climate Planning: LWSC and the African Union Commission wrapped a climate-resilient water investment workshop to turn training into investable projects. Ebola Watch (DRC): WHO says 20,000 Ervebo vaccine doses are allocated for a research vaccination programme in Ituri, as deaf community awareness sessions highlight access gaps during outbreaks. Accountability & FOI: Liberia marked 16 years of the Freedom of Information Act with capacity-building for public information officers and review bodies.

Decentralization for Health Access: Liberia is moving to devolve political, fiscal and administrative authority from Monrovia to county and sub-local governments, aiming to cut delays in getting services and documents and bring decision-making closer to citizens, with UNDP support following a Sept. 16–17 high-level dialogue on implementing the 2018 Local Government Act. Ebola Vaccine Research (DRC): WHO says 20,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine have been allocated for a research trial in Ituri, testing whether it can protect against Ebola Bundibugyo while response teams strengthen surveillance, contact tracing and clinical readiness. Liberia Water & Climate Resilience: LWSC and the African Union Commission wrapped a five-day workshop to shape a climate-resilient water investment plan, pushing for coordinated institutions and bankable projects to attract financing for water and sanitation. Community Preventive Care: The Vital-Care Initiative delivered free screenings in Bong County, checking residents for hypertension, diabetes and other risks to encourage early treatment. Youth Health Investment: A regional youth convening in Abuja urged stronger funding for young people’s health, education, skills and economic opportunities, citing needs like mental health, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition and HIV. Tubman University Funding Push: Maryland County’s superintendent urged Liberia’s finance minister to increase the 2027 budget for William V.S. Tubman University as it expands programs and capacity.

Ebola Memory, Preparedness: Ten years after Liberia’s 2014 Ebola crisis, the Liberia National Red Cross Society says its response lessons are now built into emergency systems—centered on safe burial, risk communication, contact tracing, and psychosocial support. Youth Health Investment: A regional youth convening at the UN House in Abuja urged governments to fund youth health alongside education and skills, citing mental health, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, HIV, gender-based violence, and menstrual health. Water & Climate Resilience: LWSC and the African Union Commission wrapped a five-day workshop in Monrovia to shape a climate-resilient water investment plan, pushing for coordination, political backing, and bankable projects. Ebola Response Updates (DRC): WHO reports 20,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine allocated for a research programme in Ituri, as the outbreak nears 3,700 deaths and continues spreading. Preventive Care in Bong: Vital-Care expanded free community screening in Kollieta-Wolah, testing for hypertension and diabetes to catch non-communicable risks early. FOI Act at 16: Liberia marked 16 years of the Freedom of Information Act with training for public information officers to improve access and transparency. Health Sector Recognition: LCPS conferred an Honorary Fellowship in Medicine on philanthropist Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva for long-running healthcare support.

Ebola Response: Congo has started vaccinating frontline health workers in Bunia and Mongbwalu with Ervebo, aiming to cover about 20,000 workers over 6–9 months as the outbreak in DR Congo nears 3,700 deaths and nearly 7,700 confirmed infections, with trials also underway to better protect against the Bundibugyo strain. Liberia Health Access: In Margibi, Ma-Juah Memorial Health Center is expanding low-cost monthly care for rural communities, while Bong County’s Vital-Care Initiative delivered free screenings for hypertension and diabetes to residents of Kollieta-Wolah. Medicines & Health Safety: Liberia’s LMHRA confiscated L$2.2M worth of unregistered medicines, as regulators continue tightening oversight. Water & Health Infrastructure: LWSC and the African Union Commission wrapped a climate-resilient water and sanitation workshop to turn priorities into bankable projects for Liberia’s water sector. Health Leadership & Recognition: Liberia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons awarded an Honorary Fellowship in Medicine to philanthropist Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva (“Jeety”) for long-running support to healthcare and underserved communities. Governance & Rights: Liberia marked the 16th anniversary of its Freedom of Information Act with training for public information officers to improve access and transparency.

Ebola Response: Congo has started vaccinating front-line health workers in Bunia and Mongbwalu (Ituri) with Ervebo, targeting about 20,000 workers over 6–9 months as the outbreak nears 3,700 deaths and nearly 7,700 confirmed infections. Local Health Access: Vital-Care brought free screening to Kollieta-Wolah in Bong County, checking for hypertension, diabetes and other risks to push early care for non-communicable diseases. Medicines & Regulation: LMHRA confiscated L$2.2M in unregistered medicines, underscoring ongoing pressure on drug safety and compliance. Health Leadership: Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons awarded an Honorary Fellowship in Medicine to philanthropist Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva (“Jeety”), citing decades of support for specialist care and underserved communities. Public Information & Accountability: IIC and MOI marked the 16th anniversary of Liberia’s FOI Act with training for information officers and request review bodies to improve transparency and records handling. Health System Readiness: West African lab scientists urged stronger outbreak detection and diagnostic capacity, warning that weakening health systems may not be ready for the next epidemic. Health & Security Risk: Kakata Central Prison jailbreak triggered a major manhunt, raising immediate public-safety concerns.

Ebola Response in the Region: Congo has started vaccinating front-line healthcare and other workers in Bunia and Mongbwalu (Ituri) with Ervebo to protect those most exposed as the outbreak continues to spread amid insecurity and health worker strikes. Liberia Health System Focus: Partners In Health Liberia urged the country to stop “rebuilding after crises” and instead build a resilient, equitable health system by 2030, with stronger financing, workforce support, and community services. Cancer Care Push: Liberia is seeking IAEA support to expand access to cancer diagnosis and treatment as it works to establish its first comprehensive cancer treatment center, citing thousands of new cases and deaths. Public Health Capacity: West African laboratory scientists warned that weakening health systems and limited outbreak detection could leave the region unready for the next epidemic, urging stronger surveillance and diagnostics. Medicines Oversight: Liberia’s LMHRA confiscated L$2.2M worth of unregistered medicines, highlighting ongoing drug safety enforcement. Drug Trafficking Risk: Authorities are testing a 202.5kg shipment declared as “botanical powder, coffee and candy” from Malaysia that arrived at Roberts International Airport, amid growing trafficking concerns. Local Governance for Health: Liberia launched an inter-ministerial push to accelerate decentralization, noting counties’ health and service roles but warning that funding gaps still leave clinics short of medicines and staff.

Ebola Vaccines for Frontline Staff (DRC): Congo has started vaccinating health-care workers in Bunia, Ituri—the epicentre of the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak—prioritizing Ervebo for frontline teams as the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus continues to spread; the campaign targets about 20,000 workers over 6–9 months. Liberia Health System Readiness: Liberia’s health leaders are warning that the country’s progress will face a tough test as it heads toward 2030, stressing stronger financing, better retention of health workers, and emergency preparedness. Cancer Care Push (Liberia): Liberia is seeking IAEA support to expand access to cancer diagnosis and treatment, with plans to build its first comprehensive cancer treatment center; officials cite thousands of new cases and deaths annually. Pediatric Surgeries (Liberia): Children’s Surgery International and Firestone Liberia will run a free two-week pediatric surgical mission in January 2027, with screenings starting Sept. 1 at Firestone Medical Center and Harbel Health Center. Disability Bill Consultations (Liberia): CAMDL and disability stakeholders held regional consultations on Liberia’s proposed Disability Bill, gathering input from health, education, local government, police, and disability organizations. Medicines Regulation (Liberia): LMHRA confiscated L$2.2M worth of unregistered medicines, underscoring ongoing efforts to protect patients.

Ebola Response in Congo: Congo has started vaccinating front-line healthcare workers in Bunia (Ituri) with Ervebo under a compassionate-use rollout, targeting Bunia and Mongbwalu zones and aiming to cover about 20,000 workers over 6–9 months as cases and deaths climb. Public Health Readiness: West African laboratory scientists warn that weakening health systems and limited outbreak detection capacity could leave the region unprepared for the next major epidemic, urging stronger surveillance and diagnostics. Liberia Cancer Care Push: Liberia is seeking IAEA support to expand access to cancer diagnosis and treatment, with plans to build the country’s first comprehensive cancer treatment center and mobilize at least US$22 million. Health System Performance: Partners In Health Liberia urges the country to move from repeated rebuilding after crises toward a resilient, equitable health system by 2030, with stronger financing and workforce support. Medicines Safety at Borders: LMHRA seized L$2.2 million in unregistered diclofenac medicines at Mendicorma, stressing tighter surveillance to keep unsafe drugs out of Liberia’s market. Disability Bill Consultations: CAMDL and partners held regional consultations in Gbarnga to gather public input on Liberia’s proposed Disability Bill, aiming to strengthen rights protections. Pediatric Surgery Access: Children’s Surgery International and Firestone Liberia plan free ENT, urology, hernia and other pediatric surgeries at Du-side and Harbel, with screenings running Sept–Dec 2026 for a January 2027 mission. Community Health Workforce: Liberia College of Physicians and Surgeons reports progress on accreditation for community health training, as the country prepares for tougher health targets ahead of 2030.

Ebola & Preparedness: West African laboratory scientists in Lome urged governments to strengthen disease outbreak detection, warning health systems are weakening and calling for better surveillance and diagnostic capacity after lessons from Ebola and COVID-19. Ebola Watch (DRC): Doctors Without Borders says Congo’s Ebola outbreak is shifting to provinces with weaker response capacity, keeping national risk high despite early signs of slowdown. Local Health Access: Children’s Surgery International and Firestone Liberia will run free pediatric surgical screenings at Firestone Medical Center (Du-side) and Harbel Health Center, with the 2027 mission set for children needing ENT, urology, hernias and other conditions. Cancer Care Push: Liberia is seeking IAEA support to build its first comprehensive cancer treatment center, with about US$22 million already mobilized and breast, cervical and prostate cancers highlighted. Medicines Safety: LMHRA confiscated L$2.2M in unregistered diclofenac medicines at Mendicorma Border, warning against unsafe, unauthorized drugs. Health System Focus: Partners In Health Liberia and LCPS leaders used the LCPS annual meeting to stress resilient, equitable health financing and stronger workforce retention ahead of 2030. Drug Trafficking Concern: Authorities are testing a suspected narcotics shipment from Malaysia that arrived at Roberts Airport, declared as “botanical powder, coffee and candy,” amid growing trafficking worries.

Ebola Watch: Doctors Without Borders says Congo’s Ebola outbreak isn’t truly subsiding—it’s shifting to provinces with weaker response capacity, keeping national risk high even as some hotspots slow. Outbreak Readiness: West African lab scientists in Lome warn health systems are weakening and urge governments to boost disease detection and diagnostics now, not after another crisis. Cancer Care Push: Liberia is seeking IAEA support to expand cancer diagnosis and treatment, with officials saying about US$22 million is being mobilized for the country’s first comprehensive cancer treatment center. Health System Resilience: Partners In Health Liberia urges the country to stop “rebuilding after crises” and instead build a resilient, equitable, sustainable health system by 2030. Pediatric Surgery Access: Children’s Surgery International and Firestone Liberia plan free pediatric ENT, urology, hernia and other surgeries in January 2027, with screenings running Sept 1–Dec 15 at Du-side and Harbel. Medicines Safety: LMHRA confiscated L$2.2 million in unregistered diclofenac at Mendicorma border, warning unsafe drugs can undermine public health. Local Health Capacity: LCPS Community Health faculty received a five-year WACP accreditation, strengthening specialist training for prevention, surveillance and community-based care.

Police Recruitment & Gender Balance: Liberia National Police launched a new recruitment drive, aiming to raise women’s representation toward 33% (from about 21%) while adding 1,500 officers ahead of 2029, with promises of merit-based hiring and no bribery. Health System Resilience: Partners In Health urged Liberia to stop “rebuilding after crises” and instead build a resilient, equitable health system by 2030, as LCPS convened stakeholders on financing, workforce retention, equity, and emergency preparedness. Cancer Care Push: Liberia is seeking IAEA support to expand cancer diagnosis and treatment, with plans for a first comprehensive cancer treatment center and about US$22M already mobilized; key cancers cited include breast, cervical, and prostate. Medicines Safety: LMHRA seized L$2.2M worth of unregistered diclofenac at Mendicorma border, warning that unauthorized medicines can undermine safety and quality. Ebola Watch (Regional): WHO reports encouraging signs in DRC’s Ituri but stresses the outbreak is still growing and spreading across provinces. Revenue Reality for Health: Finance Minister Ngafuan clarified that the US$1B domestic revenue milestone is not “money sitting in a bank,” but revenue already being spent on salaries, drugs for hospitals, and other services—while citizens debate whether daily life is improving. Local Governance & Service Delivery: Government launched an inter-ministerial decentralization committee, noting counties handle health and education but receive under 1% of the national budget, leaving clinics without medicines and schools without teachers. Witness Protection: Liberia’s Witness Protection Agency called for stronger collaboration across justice and security institutions to protect victims and whistleblowers throughout proceedings. Community Health Training: LCPS Faculty of Community Health received a five-year WACP accreditation, strengthening specialist training for prevention, surveillance, and community-based care. Road Safety (Health Link): Bong County attorney urged police to consider homicide-related charges in fatal crashes where reckless or criminally negligent driving is found.**