Freetown, November 13, 2025 — Sierra Leone welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong yesterday as Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh led commemorations marking the tenth anniversary of the 2014 Ebola outbreak—one of the country’s most devastating public health crises.
The solemn occasion, held in Freetown, served both as a tribute to the thousands of lives lost and a reflection on Sierra Leone’s decade-long journey of recovery, reform, and resilience.
“The Ebola outbreak of 2014 was one of the most painful chapters Sierra Leone has ever lived through,” Vice President Jalloh said. “But we also remember that Sierra Leone faced that crisis with courage, leadership, and resolve. Many of our health workers and citizens paid the ultimate price, and today we honor them.”
Dr. Jalloh described the epidemic as “one of Sierra Leone’s most painful yet transformative moments,” noting that the tragedy tested the strength of national institutions and ultimately inspired lasting reforms in health governance and emergency response.
He also praised China’s early and decisive support during the crisis. “China was among the first partners to respond quickly and decisively,” he recalled. “They helped establish treatment centers and deployed medical professionals who worked side by side with our own. We remain forever grateful for that solidarity during a moment of sheer vulnerability.”
Vice Premier Liu Guozhong’s visit underscores the enduring partnership between Sierra Leone and China, particularly in the areas of health, infrastructure, and development cooperation.
“Today, we honor those we lost, and we honor what they left us—the responsibility to build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Sierra Leone,” Dr. Jalloh concluded. “Ebola taught us that health security is national security.”
The event drew dignitaries, health officials, and civil society leaders, all united in reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to public health preparedness and international solidarity.
