Deputy Secretary-General to attend presidential inauguration in Liberia

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette will head to Liberia next week to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose election marked the culmination of a two-year transition process supported by the world body.

Ms. Fréchette will join numerous dignitaries in the capital, Monrovia, at Monday’s inauguration, where Liberia’s new Vice President will also be sworn in, a UN spokesman announced today.

In another development, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) welcomed a $2.25 million contribution from Japan towards protecting Liberian children from infectious diseases.

“We are very grateful to the Government of Japan for their continued commitment to assist Liberia's vulnerable children,” said UNICEF Liberia Representative Angela Kearney. The agency expects the funds will enable it to increase immunization coverage from 70 per cent to 90 per cent.

Last month, the UN and the Government launched an appeal for $121 million to fund humanitarian activities in Liberia this year.