(ANS - Madrid) - "We started a new year knowing that we are still in the hands of God and with the hope that the scourge of Ebola is but a bad dream, that the schools can reopen, so that children can return to their natural environment while adults resume their normal lives, and that we can all live in peace, without worrying about the disease ... ". These are the words of a Salesian missionary, reported in a press release issued by the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid.

More than 8,400 people have died from Ebola and approximately 21,000 are infected. "The situation in Liberia seems to be better, since the number of infections is reduced. In Sierra Leone, the experts say that the number has not yet reached its peak. They say that it will reach that peak in the coming months and then the number will decrease,” says Fr Jorge Crisafulli, SDB, Provincial of the English-speaking Province of West Africa.

The Salesians continue to work in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, trying to prevent the spread of the disease, distributing food and basic hygiene materials and hosting children orphaned by Ebola. "In our centre in Sierra Leone there are already more than 60 children, and another group of more than 40 is located in the quarantine zone," says Fr Crisafulli.

The Salesians are already working on plans for when the epidemic is under control. "The post-Ebola situation will be as dramatic as the one we are currently experiencing because of the harsh social and economic consequences of this recession and years of isolation. It may even be worse," he warns.

Finally, Ana Muñoz, spokesperson for the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, adds: "We want to thank the thousands of people who supported the campaign 'SOS Hijos of Ebola', launched at the end of 2014. There are still thousands of children who need our help. We cannot forget about what is happening in those countries affected by the epidemic of Ebola."

Published 20/01/2015