MONROVIA, Liberia — The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has intensified efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and response systems at Roberts International Airport (RIA) following reports of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in Nigeria and Kenya.
The initiative brought together representatives of the Ministry of Health, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), airline operators, and other stakeholders to review existing emergency response measures and identify potential gaps.
Discussions focused on Ebola response protocols, isolation and medical response arrangements, infection prevention and control, and institutional responsibilities for protecting travelers, airport employees, and other airport users.
Addressing the meeting, LAA Deputy Managing Director John Z. Buway called for a review of existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure they remain effective in addressing potential public health emergencies.
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to review what we already have. We have SOPs that were developed to guide our response. We welcome your input in identifying any gaps so that together we can strengthen and improve them,” Buway said.
Meanwhile, NDMA Executive Director Ansu V. S. Dulleh emphasized the importance of coordination among government institutions during emergencies, noting that a unified response helps prevent confusion, avoid duplication of efforts, and ensure the effective use of resources.
Dulleh also highlighted the agency’s role in coordinating emergency response activities and conducting simulation exercises under Liberia’s multi-hazard preparedness framework.
Representing the Ministry of Health, Dr. Lorraine C. Cooper reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with the LAA and other institutions to strengthen health preparedness at the airport.
She stressed the need for adequate staffing, qualified personnel, and clearly defined procedures to ensure an effective response should an outbreak occur.
The meeting also included representatives from various LAA operational departments, including Fire and Rescue, Safety, and Public Relations and Media Services.
The LAA said the engagement forms part of its ongoing efforts to protect passengers, airport workers, airline operators, and the traveling public through improved planning, interagency collaboration, and strengthened emergency response systems.
