Ebola is back. The World Health Organization declared the Ebola epidemic over in January of this year. A 30-year old woman in Liberia became the most recent Ebola statistic. The virus has now claimed the lives of more than 11,000 people in the last 28 months.
This from a leading Africa newspaper:
"In January, the WHO declared the epidemic over in Liberia, effectively putting an end to the world's worst outbreak of the disease. The "end of active transmission" was declared, after 42 days without a new case in Liberia. However, the WHO warned at the time that West Africa may see flare-ups of the virus. It has killed more than 11,000 people since December 2013.
A country is considered free of human-to-human transmission once two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last known case tested negative for a second time.
More than 17,000 Ebola survivors are dealing with a wide range of complications and social stigma. They include orphans with an uncertain future.
The economies of the three countries were also adversely affected. Sierra Leone was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with double digit growth figures. But Ebola sank it into severe recession. International experts have already cautioned that the road to complete recovery will be long and treacherous and will continue to test the resilience of the three countries."
The Foundation for Women continues to help the people and country of Liberia in this time of recovery from this unprecedented crisis. We are working closely with a leader in the Ebola-survivors community. Our microfinance loans to individuals and to low-fee independent schools are helping the devastated economy - and getting more children back in school. We are helping the Men in Marshall, those who ran the crematorium, heroes now stigmatized and shunned by everyone.
Ebola was not just a health crisis. It was an economic and social crisis touching every aspect of the Liberian society and culture. Thank you for continuing to support our life-changing work and for holding our fellow members of our human family in Liberia in your hearts and prayers.
With love and gratitude, Deborah Lindholm
"In January, the WHO declared the epidemic over in Liberia, effectively putting an end to the world's worst outbreak of the disease. The "end of active transmission" was declared, after 42 days without a new case in Liberia. However, the WHO warned at the time that West Africa may see flare-ups of the virus. It has killed more than 11,000 people since December 2013.
A country is considered free of human-to-human transmission once two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last known case tested negative for a second time.
More than 17,000 Ebola survivors are dealing with a wide range of complications and social stigma. They include orphans with an uncertain future.
The economies of the three countries were also adversely affected. Sierra Leone was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with double digit growth figures. But Ebola sank it into severe recession. International experts have already cautioned that the road to complete recovery will be long and treacherous and will continue to test the resilience of the three countries."
The Foundation for Women continues to help the people and country of Liberia in this time of recovery from this unprecedented crisis. We are working closely with a leader in the Ebola-survivors community. Our microfinance loans to individuals and to low-fee independent schools are helping the devastated economy - and getting more children back in school. We are helping the Men in Marshall, those who ran the crematorium, heroes now stigmatized and shunned by everyone.
Ebola was not just a health crisis. It was an economic and social crisis touching every aspect of the Liberian society and culture. Thank you for continuing to support our life-changing work and for holding our fellow members of our human family in Liberia in your hearts and prayers.
With love and gratitude, Deborah Lindholm
RSS Feed