Appeal Target: US$ 124,871
Balance Requested: US$ 124,871
Geneva, 24 September 2014
Dear Colleagues,
The deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has surfaced in sub-Region of West Africa, affecting Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Nigeria. This is the first time the virus is confirmed in this part of Africa. It appeared in Guinea in December 2013 and has since spread into neighbouring Sierra Leone in April, 2014. This virus is considered one of the most aggressive viruses that have neither cure nor vaccine to date, which kills within one week from exposure or three to four days from first symptoms become apparent. Its fatality rate is very high (90%) if the infected person receives no treatment. The World Health organization (WHO) warns of catastrophic consequences of the outbreak because the disease is spreading faster than the efforts to control it.
Up to date, about 1,585 confirmed cumulative cases have been reported in Sierra Leone resulting in 489 confirmed deaths. It has been noted that the ability of the various health centres in the country is very limited. Given the current and steady rate of increase in new infections in virtually all the districts of the Country (with the exception of Koinadugu District), sensitisation and awareness building activities related to prevention and containment remain urgently needed to bring the disease under control. People are therefore very much at risk. The Government, through the Ministry of Health has continued to appeal to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), and other relevant actors to be part of the campaign against the Ebola Virus.
In Sierra Leone, the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL) carried out and completed a Rapid Response Funds Project as of the end of July 2014, that focused on sensitising targeted communities of the Districts bordering Guinea and Liberia related to signs and symptoms of Ebola contagion as well as measures to be taken at the individual and community level to prevent the spread of and contain the Ebola Virus. As the epidemic is progressing, funds are requested through this Appeal to continue these life-saving activities and extend their scope.