MONROVIA, Montserrado – Lydia Sherman, the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has expressed frustration with some non-governmental organizations for their non-compliance with regards to the children orphaned by Ebola.

Sherman said that the ministry wants to collaborate with NGOs and coordinate their efforts with regards to the affected children. However, when the NGOs are asked to provide documentation, they do not respond.

“The ministry has repeatedly asked these NGOs to bring the names and pictures of those they claimed to be caring for, and they have failed to honor our request,” Sherman said.

Sherman added that some local NGOs casino online dealing with the orphans were unfairly criticizing the government via airwaves. She did not name the NGOs but expressed her frustration in hearing Liberians criticize the government when it is doing its best for the affected children.

Sherman maintained that the ministry will not disburse funds to any NGO until the full documentation is presented, and the ministry is satisfied with the NGO”s ability to ensure the children”s well-being.

“We are trying to put systems into place and these NGOs need to understand that the government is accountable to our international partners for every penny spent,” Sherman said.

The organizations that are currently providing financial assistance to the government are the World Bank and United Nations Children Education Fund, Sherman said.

Additionally, she said the World Bank has agreed to provide funds to the government for 200 orphans to receive US$10 per child every month, for two years.

Sherman also said the ministry is requesting the Ministry of Finance to allocate funding of US$20 per child every month in the fiscal year 2015-2016. Over 4,500 Ebola-affected children have been identified to receive the funding.

Featured image courtesy of Zeze Ballah