Background
Ebola virus has recently re-emerged with outbreaks in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. As of August 9, 2014, The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 1,848 confirmed cases, of which 1,013 have died. The WHO has declared the situation as an international emergency as health services and governments scramble to find solutions to this crisis. Limited availability of medical supplies has caused limited services to patients. No cure has been discovered yet for the virus, although an experimental drug is being tested on a small sample of patients.
About Ebola
The first outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EBV) took place in 1976 in the surrounding areas of the Ebola River in the Congo. Since then, several small outbreaks have taken place. Scientists have identified that close interactions with primates or bats may be a reason for animal to human infection. However, human to human infection has also taken place at close proximity. The virus is not air-borne, but can be contracted in close/physical contact. For moreinformation about the virus, please click to: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
Our Response
HOPE worldwide's CEO, Randy Jordan, has announced that African affiliates and their leaders are closely monitoring the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa and has initially allocated US$ 10,000 for immediate relief efforts through local partners in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Medical Doctors, Marc Aguirre and Mark Ottenweller, are in contact with local partners from the region and plans are underway to assess the needs within the affected countries.
Below is an excerpt from a report by Edmond Goly, a local community leader in Liberia:
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS. The Ebola virus iscreating serious fear in Liberia and people are very afraid to move about. No one wishes to get sick of other illnesses and be taken to hospital. The Ebola virus has created serious trauma in Liberia.
MEDICAL IMPACTS. Most of the health centers are abandoned because the health workers don’t have protective gears (Health PPE) to protect themselves from the Ebola virus. As a result, the health workers denied patients to have access to the health centers. The Ebola virus has the same symptoms as malaria, cholera, typhoid fever etc. So people are afraid to be diagnosed and be declared as an Ebola patient that will lead them to be quarantined.
DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY. On August 6, 2014, the President of the Republic of Liberia has declared the State of Emergency for three months to enforce the fight against the Ebola virus, due to the high number of cases and deaths registered in the eight counties: Lofa, Montserrado, Bong, Margibi, Bomi, Cape Mount, Nimba and Grand Bassa. There have been serious measures put in to place by the Liberian government to restrict movement of people from one county to another. This is to track and prevent the spread of the Ebola virus to the rest of the country.
CHALLENGES:
Social : Liberia as a post-war country has a high number of unemployment. Due to the fear and panic created by the virus Ebola and the declaration of the State of Emergency, more Liberians stay home to avoid being contact with infected persons of Ebola. People who are unemployed can no more do petty jobs to carter to their family basic needs. This may result to starvation and death among the poor people. Also all public and private schools are closed and non-essential workers are asked to stay home.
Economical : Furthermore, because of the Ebola virus, some companies are closing their offices while others are sending back home their senior staff. Government Revenues are reducing because most economical activities are locked down. Prices of basic necessity, goods and services and transportation are at the increase.
What you can do
As we monitor the situation closely, several things can be done:
Pray for the people in the countries affected
Contribute financially to our efforts as we are bringing assistance in the countries affected.
For more information or inquiries, please contact:
HOPE worldwide 1285 Drummers Lane, Suite 105 Wayne, PA 19087 – USA website: www.hopeww.org
- Marc Aguirre, MD, Regional Technical Advisor Africa– email: Marc.Aguirre@hopeww.org
- Mark Ottenweller, MD, Director of Development, Africa – email:Mark.Ottenweller@hopeww.org
- Charles Ham, MPH, Global Disaster Response Coordinator – email:Charles.Ham@hopeww.org