Monrovia — The Government of Denmark has committed $22 million dollars to support three joint programmes signed between the government of Liberia and United Nations agencies in the country. The UN Joint Programmes include Food Security and Nutrition, Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment and Youth Empowerment and Employment.

Speaking at the signing of the contribution agreement on May 6th at UNDP, the Danish Ambassador accredited to Liberia, His Excellency Stig Barlyng said the Danish contribution to the joint programmes will be spread over a three year period. He expressed the commitment of his government to support the reconstruction of Liberia after a devastating civil crisis. He said the Danish Government contribution was made possible because of the commitment shown by the government of Liberia and the UN system for the reconstruction and development of Liberia.
Ambassador Barlyng stressed the need to produce concrete results through the three UN Joint Programmes and emphasized that his government will remain assertive in ensuring that the objectives of the programmes are achieved.

The UN acting Resident Coordinator and UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Rozanne Chorlton, thanked the Danish Government for the contribution and said the funding will increase the overall capacity for planning and coordination in the ministries and support gender mainstreaming in all areas of development.
Speaking earlier, the Officer-in-Charge of UNDP Ms. Maria-Threase Keating, praised the work of the Danish Africa Commission established in April 2008 for being effective in putting economic growth and employment in Africa squarely back on the International Agenda and for the Commissions special focus on Youth Employment and Empowerment. She said “without education, jobs and prospects of a meaningful future, youth have the potential to create instability”.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Minister of Gender and Development Ms. Varbah Gayflor, the Minister for Youth and Sports Ms. Etmonia Tarpeh and Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ms. Lwopu Kandakai. The Ministers said the three programmes are bound to succeed because they address the needs elaborated in the Poverty Reduction Strategy which are premised on the Millennium Development Goals. Moreover, they expressed their appreciation to the Government of Denmark for the contributions which they stated will make a significant difference in improving the quality of life for communities assisted under the three programmes.