Urgent Appeal: Ebola Emergency in West Africa

'Prevention is the only way to end the Ebola outbreak, and this requires significant public education on a local level.'
—Meredith Dyson, CRS health program manager, Sierra Leone

Dear Joseph, West Africa is facing the largest outbreak of the Ebola virus in history. Catholic Relief Services and our Church partners are working diligently to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. This is the first time the region has ever experienced Ebola, so we are trying to reach as many communities as possible to dispel myths and misconceptions, and to address the cultural practices that have facilitated the spread of the disease. Many people seek healing from traditional healers instead of getting immediate medical care. With this particular type of Ebola, the survival rate is around 50%. Receiving early treatment is critical. Others don’t believe that Ebola exists and are taking their ill family members from hospitals before they are recovered. And some who have the deadly virus never go to the hospital. This puts families at risk for contracting the deadly disease. Additionally, cultural traditions—like washing a body before it is buried—are especially dangerous because Ebola is at its most contagious in its advanced stages and soon after death. Family members who come from other villages to attend funerals have contracted the virus and infected others after returning home. CRS has been working with local leaders, community elders, and ministries of health in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to raise awareness about Ebola in a culturally acceptable way.  Our local staff and partners are going door to door, distributing posters, fliers, fact sheets and other educational materials. CRS has partnered with local radio stations to broadcast regular public service announcements and call-in radio programs in local languages. We are also sending text messages containing Ebola information. Our goal is to help families and neighbors understand the virus and how they can prevent it from spreading. “Prevention is not only the most effective option to containing the Ebola outbreak, it’s the only one,” says Godlove Ntaw, CRS country representative in Guinea. “Trusted, local leaders must be trained to become the ambassadors in their community, educating people on how Ebola is transmitted and why it’s important to seek early treatment.” CRS is committed to continuing this work. We will continue to educate and dispel the myths to prevent more people from getting sick. But we need your help to reach as many communities as possible. Time is critical. Please make a donation to CRS’ West Africa Emergency Fund today. Your generosity is crucial to saving lives. May blessings overflow, Dr. Carolyn Y. Woo President & CEO Catholic Relief Services Photos courtesy of Organisation Catholique pour la Promotion Humaine (OCPH)