Relief workers welcome US action against Ebola

Last updated on: September 17, 2014 at 10:58 pm by CNA Daily News

Relief workers welcome US action against Ebola 2014-09-17T22:58:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington D.C., Sep 17, 2014 / 04:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- President Barack Obama’s announcement of personnel and other aid to combat the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa drew praise from relief workers involved in the region.

“The situation in West Africa requires an unprecedented response, and we appreciate President Obama’s commitment to scale-up U.S. government resources so the current outbreak can be contained,” Michael Ghebrab, Catholic Relief Services’ country representative in Sierra Leone, said Sept. 16.

“The president’s plan will meet some of the urgent need for medical equipment, logistical support and training health personnel that will help save lives in the short-term.”

President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced the deployment of over 3,000 U.S. military service members to the affected countries to help stop the disease’s spread, saying there is an opportunity “to save countless lives.”

The president cited the danger that the disease could infect hundreds of thousands of people. It has already killed over 2,400 after infecting almost 5,000 in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Several Ebola deaths have taken place in Nigeria.

The U.S. personnel will include medical professionals and engineers. The U.S. forces will establish a regional command center in the Liberian capital of Monrovia under Major General Darryl Williams, Reuters reports. The U.S. plans to build 17 treatment centers with 100 beds each, place U.S. public health personnel in Liberian field hospitals, and to train thousands of medical workers.

The forces will also help improve air supply routes for health workers and medical supplies. They will not be responsible for direct care of infected patients.

Ghebrab said that in addition to deaths from Ebola, “many more people” will suffer from hunger and unemployment. The disease, and fear of it, has disrupted life for many in affected regions.

“In addition to meeting critical needs now, there is also a significant need to fund longer-term activities, like health system strengthening and programs that will help people resume and re-start their lives and livelihoods to avoid an even bigger impact of Ebola in West Africa,” he said.

Meredith Stakem, Catholic Relief Services’ Senegal-based regional technical advisor on health, voiced hope that the international community “will continue to emphasize prevention alongside efforts to scale up treatment.”

“There is still a huge need to educate the public in all of the affected countries about Ebola, how it spreads, and what actions people need to take to protect themselves and their families. We have seen firsthand how locally tailored information delivered face-to-face in a way that engages the audience can be effective.”

Many people in need of medical treatment have avoided medical centers for fear of Ebola, leading to other health problems.

Stakem stressed the importance of support for routine healthcare services amid the disruptions.

“As human and financial resources are directed to Ebola, we need to make sure people still have access the regular services they need. We are deeply concerned by reports of a measles outbreak in Liberia that could have been prevented with routine immunizations.

American Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly has called for a quick response to the outbreak.

Brantley contacted Ebola while working as a missionary in Liberia. He was flown back to the U.S. for treatment and recovered from the disease, prompting much U.S. attention to the outbreak of the disease.

Ahead of President Obama’s announcement, he told EWTN News Nightly that he hopes the U.S. government takes “immediate action” on its commitments, saying “we cannot afford a delay in our response.”

“We’ve already delayed too long, and we need to take action now.”

Previous Post

September 17, 2014

Bishops praise agreement on low-income child care bill

Next Post

September 18, 2014 Pope's visit will change Philippines, Cardinal Tagle hopes

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was an ephah's volume? (Biblical Measurement)

Select your answer to see how you score.

22 liters 10 liters 30 liters 15 liters