Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Ebola takes toll on Sierra Leone

The Ebola outbreak is having a devastating effect in a range of ways, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) learns


The BWA has sent a total of US$20,000 to provide food, educational materials for the prevention of the spread of the Ebola virus, as well as materials and equipment to provide adequate sanitation for people affected by the crisis. It recently heard from Samuel Conteh, coordinator of social ministries for the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone.

Ebola LiberiaThe outbreak began in March during the height of the farming season. With agriculture providing roughly 58 percent of Sierra Leone's gross domestic product (GDP), Mr Conteh said the Ebola scourge is affecting 'the economy of the state, communities, households and individual family members'.

'This is the time rice farmers plant their rice fields and plantation (cocoa, coffee, etc.). The outbreak has not only abruptly halted these farming activities, but has also claimed the lives of farmers.

'Some survivors are either quarantined or can no longer frequent their farms or plantations thereby leaving the crops to perish, particularly in epicentres like Kenema, Kailahun and Bo, where the majority of the population depends on rice and plantation farming for their livelihood.'

Mr Conteh said that most of the Ebola deaths have fallen within the active labour force, "leaving a huge population (children and the aged) as dependents."

As a result, there is food shortage and the price of basic food supplies has skyrocketed. There is urgent need for food, especially for Ebola survivors and orphans. Agricultural supplies for planting the next harvest are also a great need.

The mining sector, the fifth highest contributor to Sierra Leone's GDP, has also been negatively affected. Large mining companies 'have all scaled down their activities leading to mass redundancy of a massive work force. Government revenue from this sector has also gone down,' Mr Conteh affirmed.

In other areas of the economy, people have been laid off or made redundant. Education is virtually crippled as schools are closed.

The health sector is also severely affected. Approximately 50 medical personnel have died, including three prominent doctors. According to Mr Conteh, persons are fearful of visiting health facilities lest they are labeled as Ebola patients and, as a result, are dying of ailments other than Ebola. Pregnant and nursing mothers are not visiting clinics to receive necessary prenatal and postnatal care. Babies and young children are not receiving necessary immunisations to ward off other infectious diseases.

Church activities have been drastically reduced. 'Church attendances are dwindling. Baptist activities are being slowed down, particularly in [the] epicentres. The traditional embracing and handshake among members after church service have disappeared,' he said.
Baptist Times, 12/09/2014
    Post     Tweet
'We cannot walk in your shoes, but we can do as Jesus did and wash your feet' 
Joshua T. Searle reports on the February 2024 Dnipro Hope Mission Trip to Ukraine
‘Spreading hope and love amid the darkness’ 
Baptist organisations in Palestine and Israel are continuing to support people amid the ‘heart-wrenching reality’ of the war in Gaza
'Incredibly challenging - but tangibly showing Christ's love' 
Baptists at the heart of the Israel-Hamas war have been sharing their anguish and grief at the situation unfolding before them, how they are helping support those affected
A British Baptist with a calling to Germany 
Joshua Searle appointed Professor of Mission Studies at the German Theological University
'We request fervent prayer for just peace' 
Baptists across Israel and the Palestinian Territories share calls to prayer
Trauma, tears, prayer, admiration
Dnipro Hope Mission co-founder and trustee Joshua T. Searle shares reflections following his first trip to Ukraine since the Russian invasion, where he met Baptist ministry partners serving on the frontlines
     Latest News 
    Posted: 11/10/2022
    Posted: 01/10/2021
    Posted: 08/05/2020
    Posted: 06/05/2020
    Posted: 11/12/2019
    Posted: 28/11/2019
    Posted: 04/10/2019