(ANS - Madrid) - "In Liberia there have been no new cases of infection for over 15 days. In Sierra Leone, new infections have dropped to 10 per day in recent weeks. Good care, proper treatment of the symptoms, better nutrition for the sick and emotional support have combined to reduce the mortality rate among those infected from 70% to 40%.” So says Fr Jorge Crisafulli, Provincial of the Salesians of English-speaking West Africa.  

The Salesians are caring for Ebola orphans. Over 200 children aged between 4 and 17 have passed through the Interim Child Care Centre run by the Salesians. "Some were very weak when they came, unable to speak or walk. With care and good nutrition they have begun to smile again. This is wonderful," he says. The Salesians are now facing new challenges with these children, since many have been dispossessed of land they inherited from their parents. "We have hired lawyers to defend their rights," says Fr Crisafulli.

Beyond the positive figures, there are real dramas. For example, in a small village in Sierra Leone, 83 of the 240 inhabitants died. Many children have a traumatic memory of the ambulance that took their parents away and did not return.

"Now we face a new challenge, to work for the recovery of some villages that have been traumatized," he says. The social and economic consequences are very serious, in those countries that were already very vulnerable. "We have reached a new stage in which education, care for children at risk and aid to the poorest families will be our priorities," says Fr. Crisafulli.

From the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid the message is not to be complacent. "We cannot forget the suffering of millions of people and, although full recovery may take five or six years, we will continue to help and support the most vulnerable," says Ana Muñoz, spokesperson for the organization.

Published 18/03/2015