World Vision in unprecedented DEC launch of Ebola Crisis Appeal

World Vision and 12 other leading UK aid agencies have announced today they will launch a historic appeal in a bid to halt the spread of Ebola in West Africa. 

It is the first time in its 50 year history the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a group of UK charities and non-governmental organisations, has launched an appeal in response to a disease outbreak.

Appeals will be made by all the main UK broadcasters on Thursday but donations are already being taken by the DEC online at www.dec.org.uk and via its 24 donation hotline 0370 60 60 900.

The decision to launch the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal reflects the severity of a situation that is no longer simply a medical emergency, but threatens to become a humanitarian catastrophe.  The explosive spread of Ebola in West Africa is not just killing the infected but also ripping apart health services, devastating communities, and destroying people’s ability to support themselves.

World Vision is heavily involved in responding to the Ebola crisis, reaching over 7,500 people with disease prevention advice and providing essential materials to health workers.  Our teams have been working extensively in Sierra Leone to provide burial teams, which help to safely bury the dead and lower the risk of further contamination.  Whilst our staff on the ground have been working with inter-faith leaders to help warn local communities of the risks surrounding Ebola. David Thomson, Director of Policy and Programming for World Vision UK noted:

"World Vision has been providing crucial medical equipment to frontline
staff tackling the spread of Ebola, supplying over 4,000 protective suits,
four million gloves and thousands of litres of chlorine.”

"With infection rates still increasing in West Africa, this deadly disease not only takes
lives but also people's chances to lead a normal life.  In Sierra Leone,
World Vision has been teaching children at home with TV and radio classes
to ensure vital periods of education are not lost"

DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said of the planned appeal:

“This appeal is completely unprecedented and that is a sign of just how serious the situation in West Africa has become.  In its 50 year history the DEC has launched appeals for humanitarian disasters caused by floods, famines, earthquake, typhoons, and countless conflicts.  We have never run an appeal in response to a disease outbreak – until today.

“Without urgent action to stop the spread of Ebola and to help those affected by the crisis, parts of West Africa face catastrophe within 60 days.”

According to the World Health Organisation, nearly 5,000 people have died and more than 10,000 have been infected with Ebola since the start of the year. But the real numbers could be up to three times higher. Infection rates continue to grow in Sierra Leone and Liberia. The World Health Organisation estimates that there could be 5,000 - 10,000 new cases a week in the worst affected countries by December.  This is already the deadliest outbreak of Ebola since the disease was discovered in 1976. 

Specific examples of existing DEC member agency work include:

·       Safely disposing of the bodies of the dead to prevent the spread of infection

·       Tracing people who have been in contact with the infected so they can be treated if they have Ebola or go into quarantine until they are no longer at risk

·       Protecting orphans and unaccompanied children whose families have been affected by the disease

·       Raising awareness in communities at risk of infection to help people protect themselves

·       Providing food aid to affected families

·       Running some treatment centres

·       Providing protective clothing, medical supplies, and water and sanitation services.

 All the countries at the epicentre of this outbreak – Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea – are extremely poor with already weak health systems and recent histories of conflict.

All major UK broadcasters will be carrying the DEC appeal including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.  The appeal will also be supported by other major DEC partners including ITN, BT, Post Office, British Bankers Association, Royal Mail, RadioCentre and NewsNow.

To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk, or call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.

What your money could buy:

·       £25 can provide cleaning kits including bleach, soap and a bucket for three families at risk from Ebola.

·       £50 can provide basic protective clothing such as gloves, masks, boots and gowns for three volunteers supporting people under quarantine.

·       £100 can provide training to a community on how to keep themselves safe and help stop the spread of Ebola.