The EU Delegation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) took part in the National Planning Meeting & Intra-Action Review hosted by Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency (NPHA) as part of the country’s ongoing Mpox Outbreak Response 2025.
Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, EUDEL Mpox Lead Charlie Suilen reaffirmed the EU’s continued support to the Government of Sierra Leone.
Following a formal request for medical assistance and capacity building from Hon. Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) was activated. In response, two ECDC experts — Ms Xanthi Adrianou, Epidemiologist, and Mr Catalin Bercaru, Risk Communications Officer — arrived in Freetown on 8 August 2025.
Their two-week mission comes at a critical time, as Sierra Leone faces a surge in Mpox cases and the NPHA reviews its 3-month Action Plan. The experts will work closely with local health professionals, paramount chiefs, district councils, and development partners to coordinate the next steps in tackling the Mpox crisis in Sierra Leone.
