NEWS
RESPONDING TO THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC In August 2018, an Ebola outbreak was confirmed in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). By the end of the year at least 420 cases and 240 deaths had been reported, making it the second largest Ebola outbreak on record. In response, The Salvation Army’s International Emergency Services team initiated a project which aimed to limit the spread of the virus (by promoting and improving hand washing), improve understanding about the epidemic and reduce the stigma for affected families and communities. Alongside the work undertaken by other charitable and faith organisations such as Oxfam and UNICEF, the project has brought together 120 churches and 320 schools in the affected region. Each was equipped with adequate hygiene facilities (water tanks with taps, basins and soap) and hand-washing kits to contain the propagation of the virus. ‘Train the trainer’ workshops have been provided to local religious leaders, school workers and healthcare workers. Trainees were also each expected to train 10 church leaders, school and health centre representatives. Many of such trainings have now taken place.
Additionally, training on the identification and care for affected people and their families has also been provided to more than 300 community leaders. The overall reach of this project through the provision of training and facilities includes 600 institutions, including health centres, schools, churches and mosques, and more than 6,000 local leaders including teachers, health workers and church personnel. Going forward, The Salvation Army in DRC is working to strengthen its resilience to such outbreaks and respond to the ongoing impact of the Ebola epidemic by improving the facilities of the local Salvation Army corps in Goma which neighbours the epicentre of the Ebola virus epidemic. Using funds raised by corps in The Salvation Army UK and Ireland Territory through its annual Self-Denial Appeal, a Mission Support* project has been approved which will enable extensive improvement to the corps facilities. The project will include the installation of a water tank, construction of a perimeter fence, new toilet facilities and the provision of solar electricity for the compound. With these improvements to the facilities, both the corps officers and members will be better equipped to serve their community and support one another to address the impacts of the devastating Ebola epidemic. *Read more about Mission Support projects on p.23
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