On May 6, 2020, United States Ambassador, Maria Brewer, met with the Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Defense and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Commander, Joint Forces to deliver two newly refurbished four-person Mercedes Benz Unimog ambulances.
As part of a bigger program of logistics improvement for the RSLAF, these ambulances were prioritized in order to assist with the Sierra Leonean response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Over the past two years, the United States, United Kingdom and Sierra Leone have embarked on a comprehensive security cooperation strategy aimed at returning the RSLAF to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.
One critical component of this plan has focused on the vital improvement of both RSLAF vehicles and equipment. Whether used on peacekeeping operations or for internal crisis response, two refurbished ambulances are an essential addition to the RSLAF inventory. The United States is both proud and honored to work side-by-side with the RSLAF in the continued development of Sierra Leone’s military and security capacity.
Ambassador Maria Brewer said, “these vehicles will not only be helpful during our present challenge but will also be key instruments to enable the RSLAF to more effectively respond to crises within Sierra Leone. I am proud to be handing over larger vehicles that will be able to handle even extremely challenging situations like flooding and could carry up to four people each.”
United States Mission in Sierra Leone
Public Affairs Office
Contact: Alhassan Jalloh