(ANS - Freetown) - "There are eighty new cases every day and there are only 500 beds for treatment, in two centres in Freetown and another in Kenema. Ebola is completely out of control," say the Salesians in Sierra Leone. This is a country in which there have been more than 3,700 cases of infection and more than 1,200 deaths. "There are neighbourhoods in quarantine, but the people do not comply with these measures because food is not reaching them and they are desperate to feed their children," says Bro. Lothar Wagner, SDB, a missionary in Freetown.

In addition, "cases of infection are occurring in places that previously were free of Ebola. Fifteen people died in Tikonko (Bo)” says Fr Jorge Crisafulli, Provincial of the Province of English-speaking West Africa.  “These areas are very poor, with no medical supplies and no knowledge of the disease or how to prevent it. "

The Salesians in Sierra Leone are also concerned about the situation of children affected by Ebola or orphaned by the virus. "There are more than 1,560 children in quarantine because they have lost their parents or because they have been rejected by their families. They are children who have experienced trauma such as the loss of family members, have been discriminated against, separated from their families and, in some cases, accused of being the cause of evil," says Fr Crisafulli. "It's not easy to start a centre for children orphaned by Ebola."

In Liberia, the Salesian missionaries report that "the situation is bad, despite the arrival of international aid and the fact that the number of beds has increased." In this country, Ebola has caused more than 2,700 deaths. The Salesians have focused on "prevention and the distribution of food and medical supplies, which is the most urgent requirement. But we are also concerned about the situation of thousands of children and young people who are losing the school year, and for the people who cannot cultivate the land."  For this reason the Salesians are working to launch a project soon to create home gardens and another for distance learning.

In Guinea Conakry, Ebola is on the rise again. There are new cases and over 900 deaths. "No one talks about Ebola, it is taboo. Education to increase awareness needs to be done carefully, as there have been cases of volunteers being attacked by the community while they were spreading information to prevent the disease," explained the missionaries in the area.

The Salesian Mission Office in Madrid renews its call on the international community to fight the epidemic. "Only with international help can we escape. Please send beds, laboratories, specialists, doctors, nurses ... in order to avoid a global epidemic," says Bro. Wagner.

Published 29/10/2014