• 29 October 2014

Help stop the spread of Ebola

Some of the poorest countries in West Africa are facing national emergencies as they wrestle with the deadly Ebola virus outbreak which has claimed nearly 5,000 lives.

The disease is leaving countless children orphaned, stretching poorly resourced health services to the limit, hitting national economies and putting back development gains by years.

‘So many lives have been severely affected,’ says Francis Wahome, head of Tearfund’s work in Sierra Leone. ‘Programmes that were addressing pressing needs such as maternal and child health, malaria, water and food security have come to a halt.’

With the death toll rising as infection rates spiral, stopping the spread of the virus is paramount. Tearfund church partners in Sierra Leone and Liberia are doing this by promoting hygiene education.

Church leaders, who command widespread respect and trust, are playing a vital role in telling their congregations about staying safe, as well as tackling misinformation and superstition. We’re also providing hygiene kits to 2,600 families.

The challenge is enormous. You can help stop Ebola claiming lives today. Please pray and give what you can.

‘The people of Northern Ireland have a strong history of coming together to help others. Let us, God’s people in Northern Ireland, come together in prayer and action to stop the spread of this devastating virus.’ – Tim Magowan, Director of Tearfund Northern Ireland.

Give to the Ebola Crisis Appeal (via the Tearfund website).