Merck Foundation partners with The First Lady of Liberia to support the livelihoods of the casual worker and physically disabled community during Coronavirus confinement

Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of the Merck Foundation and President, Merck more than a mother with H.E. CLAR WEAH, the First Lady of Liberia and Ambassador of Merck more than a mother

Merck Foundation and The First Lady of Liberia ran to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic through community support, awareness and training of doctors MONROVIA, through a statement made this June 23, 2020.

The Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic branch of Merck KGaA Germany in partnership with SE CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia to support the livelihoods of families of casual workers and people with disabilities, who are most affected by confinement due to Coronavirus (COVID -19). 

Dr Rasha Kelej, CEO Merck Foundation and One of the 100 Most Influential Africans (2019) explained: “The situation in Liberia and other countries is extremely worrying and requires immediate action. In this exceptionally difficult period, the Merck Foundation has decided to make community donations to those who are most affected; women, people with disabilities and casual workers, which makes their survival difficult. In collaboration with The First Lady of Liberia and Merck More Than a Mother Ambassador, we have provided essential food and cleaning supplies; rice, cooking oil, soap and other items for more than 1,600 people in Liberia ”. 

H.E CLAR MARIE WEAH, First Lady of Liberia and Merck More Than a Mother Ambassador, underlined: “We appreciate the support provided by our long-standing partner, the Merck Foundation, during this difficult period. It is essential for us to help those who have been seriously affected by the confinement imposed in the country to fight against the Coronavirus. The donations were made in the counties of Kakata and Margibi in Liberia ”. 

Donation of livelihoods to Liberian communities

Dr. Rasha Kelej said, "We have also launched the Stay-at-Home Media Recognition Awards to encourage the media to educate the public about the coronavirus. In addition, the Merck Foundation has started providing a one-year online degree and two-year master's degree in Respiratory Medicine and Acute Medicine to help doctors in Liberia better care for patients with coronavirus. The Merck Foundation also offers a one-year online degree and a two-year master's degree in diabetes, preventive cardiovascular medicine and endocrinology to enable healthcare providers to better manage patients belonging to groups at risk of coronavirus." 

The Merck Foundation has also undertaken similar relief activities in Egypt, as well as in Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger in partnership with their First Ladies to continue supporting up to 1000 poor families in each country. 

Livelihoods given to a significant part of the people of Liberia

Merck Foundation response to the coronavirus pandemic; The Merck Foundation ran to respond to the coronavirus pandemic in partnership with 18 African First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Information and Education, focusing on four main areas: 

1) Community donations to support livelihoods of thousands of women and casual workers affected by coronavirus containment; 

2) Capacity building in coronavirus health care by providing one year online degrees and a two year master's degree in Respiratory Medicine and Acute Medicine for African doctors; 

3) Community outreach by announcing Stay-at-Home Media Recognition Awards in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America to raise awareness of the coronavirus; and;

4) Community outreach for children and young people by launching an inspirational “Make The Right Choice” storybook to educate children and youth about the Coronavirus. 

The Stay at Home Media Recognition Awards were launched in Liberia in partnership with H.E. CLAR MARIE WEAH, The First Lady of Liberia. The theme of the award is "Educate on how to stay safe and stay in good physical and mental health while confined to the coronavirus in order to separate facts from myths and misconceptions". 

Liberian journalists from print, online, radio and multimedia platforms are invited to apply for the awards by sending their applications to: info@merck-foundation.com with details such as name, gender, country, press house , email address and mobile phone number) and your work as an attachment, no later than June 30, 2020. 

The Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), created in 2017, is the philanthropic branch of Merck KGaA Germany. It aims to improve the health and well-being of people and advance their lives through science and technology. 

Efforts are mainly focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, strengthening scientific and health research capacities and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by email as soon as they become available on the Merck Foundation website. 

For registration online or more learning the website is: www.Merck-Foundation.com. 

Merck (www.MerckGroup.com) is a leading company in the science and technology, healthcare, life sciences and performance materials industries. About 53,000 employees are working more to develop technologies that enhance and improve life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, advanced systems for scientific research and production, liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD TVs. In 2017, Merck generated sales of € 15.3 billion in 66 countries. 

Merck, which was founded in 1668, is the oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company in the world. The founding family remains the majority owner of the group of listed companies. Merck holds worldwide rights to the Merck name and brand.

The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates under the name EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor