by Emmanuel Bryma Momoh

06 March 2009

Zwedru, Liberia: In conformity with the Secretary-General’s 'Delivering as One' project, UN agencies in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, observed an official opening of the UN Joint Office.

The delegation was led by the Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary-General (DSRSG), Jordan Ryan, and included UNV Liberia's volunteerism ambassador Hawa Veronica Shefiff.

In his remarks, the DSRSG acknowledged the valuable contributions of volunteers as a perfect conduit to development in their communities, and made special reference to Ms. Shefiff. She herself underscored the significance of volunteerism and urged more nations to donate their time, energy and skills to nation-building.

The Head of the Zwedru Field Office reiterated that 'Delivering as One' is the central concept for the UN Joint Office, and emphasised that the UN must deliver as one through a strong commitment implementing one strategy

The DSRSG pointed out that although the Joint Office is now in place, it does not imply that all challenges have been overcome, but the office remains a work in progress where support from the UN system and its agencies are required.

In the question and answers session with staff, UNV volunteer Emmanuel Bryma Momoh noted that reform in any organization requires a significant investment of time. He recommended building on lessons learned in other UN Joint Offices to ensure logical and efficient delivery in the county.

The second such joint office in the country – the first one was opened in June last year in Voinjama, Lofa County – the Zwedru office brings together five UN agencies and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

The five agencies are UNDP, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The organizations will carry out joint assessments, planning, programming, implementing and monitoring of projects in the county, creating, Mr. Ryan stressed, an opportunity for the UN to maximize the effectiveness of its expertise for the benefit of the people.