Africa-Press – Liberia. Hundreds of Liberians are expected to benefit from a renewed wave of professional training as Israel’s international development agency, MASHAV, strengthens its partnership with Liberia. Ambassador Eynat Shlein, Head of MASHAV and Deputy Director General at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlined the expanded programs during her first official visit to Liberia.
Ambassador Shlein said the initiative will support capacity-building in areas including health, education, agriculture, food safety, water management, innovation, and the media.
“We do not bring a fixed agenda,” she said. “Our goal is to support Liberia’s sustainable development priorities and deepen our bilateral ties.”
She recalled Liberia’s early support for the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 and noted that MASHAV’s engagement with Liberia dates back to 1964. The agency now plans to significantly scale up training opportunities.
Two Liberians are set to travel to Israel next week for a course on agribusiness for rural women, with many more programs planned across sectors. All initiatives, she emphasized, are designed in alignment with the Liberian government’s development priorities.
Focus on Healthcare
One major intervention is a neonatal resuscitation program introduced by Israeli medical teams to help reduce infant deaths in Liberia. Specialists are currently assessing health facilities to prepare tailored training for doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
“This simple, low-cost technique can save nine out of every ten newborns who face complications at birth,” Shlein said.
Boosting Early Childhood Education
Israel will also launch a new early childhood education training program in collaboration with Liberia’s Ministry of Education. The course begins next week and marks the first on-site training of its kind in years. Ambassador Shlein said the program will introduce new teaching methods aimed at improving learning outcomes nationwide.
Strengthening Agriculture and Food Safety
Through partnerships with UNIDO and the National Food Safety and Quality Authority, Israel will support efforts to enhance food production, safety standards, and agribusiness development in Liberia. These programs will include local workshops and specialized training in Israel for Liberian experts.
Training for Journalists
Ambassador Shlein also encouraged Liberian journalists to participate in MASHAV’s annual international training programs, coordinated through the Israeli Embassy in Ghana.
In addition, all past trainees—regardless of when they completed their program—are eligible for micro-grants to launch sustainable community projects. She cited successful alumni initiatives in other countries, such as rural robotics labs, eco-friendly pest control systems, and hospices for terminally ill children.
Strengthening Long-Term Cooperation
Ambassador Shlein said her visit marks only the beginning of a broader partnership that will bring more Israeli experts and training opportunities into Liberia.
“You will see more collaboration, more experts, and more opportunities,” she said, praising Liberia’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people.
Since its founding in 1958, MASHAV has trained over 350,000 professionals worldwide. Liberia has been part of this global network since the 1960s. Ambassador Shlein stressed the long-term value of skills transfer, noting that most alumni share their knowledge with dozens—sometimes hundreds—of others.
With expanded programs in health, education, agriculture, and media, hundreds of Liberians are set to gain new skills that could significantly contribute to national development.
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