Christian development charity Tearfund has called for additional assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as it continues to battle an outbreak of Ebola.
The current outbreak is the 17th such occurrence in the DRC in half a century. However, despite the regularity with which the country has been hit, ignorance and poverty have compounded the situation.
Workers on the ground say that many people do not know how serious Ebola is, while some even doubt the existence of the disease at all. Some medical workers have been attacked.
Simple hygiene practices like hand washing can go a long way towards fighting the disease, but in parts of the country where clean water is in short supply, such practices can seem like an unaffordable luxury.
Months after the outbreak first began it has been confirmed that the death toll has now reached 1,000.
Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s Country Director in the DRC said, “This is a grim milestone to have reached in what is emerging as the fastest Ebola outbreak on record. Tearfund’s focus on engaging faith leaders and community outreach is vital to building trust, helping to correct misinformation, and delivering life-saving water and sanitation services.”
A part of Tearfund’s effort has been centred on providing religious leaders with the resources they need to become trusted authorities on health matters. This approach is aimed at promoting practices that will fight the disease, while also combating misinformation.
More physical aid has also been provided in the form of chlorine, handwashing stations and efforts to disinfect local churches. The group is also making use of local radio stations, again to combat misinformation. Similar efforts are planned for online platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp.
Anguandia thanked Tearfund donors for their support but said more was needed to bring the crisis to an end.
“We are incredibly grateful to the UK public for their generosity so far, which has already enabled these life-saving interventions," she said.
"Tearfund remains dedicated to standing with the most vulnerable, but further support is urgently required to sustain this first line of protection against Ebola.”
