Monrovia, October 5, 2014: Traditional Chiefs and Elders of Liberia have agreed to join government and its partners in the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.

The traditional chiefs said their renewed commitment is to continue their march towards the full eradication of the Ebola Virus and the restoration of basic health services in Liberia.

A release from the Internal Affairs Ministry said the statement was contained in a resolution reached over the weekend, at the end of the week long traditional chiefs’ consultative meeting on prevention of the Ebola Virus, which took place in Gbarnga, Bong County.

The consultative meeting was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in collaboration with the National Council of Chiefs and Elders, with funding from the Carter Center.

The meeting which brought together over 120 traditional leaders from across the country, was intended for chiefs to consult with national and international experts on the fight against the Virus, to know what has been done so far, what is needed to be done to cut its transmission, and how traditional chiefs and elders can get involved in the fight against Ebola.

In the statement, the traditional leaders resolved that they are prepared to join in the campaign of disseminating preventive Ebola messages in all towns and villages.

At the same time, the chiefs have called for empowerment of traditional leaders with logistical and financial support in order to undertake community outreach; as well as conduct training of  traditional mid-wives and youth volunteers in the management and handling of Ebola related cases and delivery of pregnant women.

 They are also calling for inclusion of traditional leaders on all levels of Ebola related task forces across the country.