Posted by Liz Evers
The Ebola crisis continues to worsen, with over 4,000 people having died from the virus in West Africa.
Trócaire is working in Sierra Leone and Liberia, two countries affected by the crisis. We are responding to the crisis through our partnership with local Caritas and missionary organisations.
In Liberia we are supporting a hospital operated by the Franciscans. This response includes funding hand-washing stations and training health workers responding to the crisis.
Our response in Sierra Leone has focused on grassroots community awareness raising in order to overcome myths and fears. This has included producing written materials, training community leaders and door-to-door awareness campaigns to raise awareness of how Ebola can be transmitted, how risk of transmission can be reduced, and how to respond to suspected cases. This work has focused on the two districts of Sierra Leone (Kailahun and Kenema) where the outbreak originated.
In addition to the health danger posed by the virus, this crisis will also cause problems for food availability in affected countries. Restrictions on movement have meant that many people have been unable to plant crops.
Trócaire is building a longer-term response to include food and agricultural support for communities affected by disruption to planting.
We have not currently launched an emergency appeal for the Ebola crisis. Our response is being funded through regular donations. If you would like to support our work in response to the Ebola crisis, you can visit our donate page and select the ‘where needed most’ fund.