The explosive spread of Ebola in West Africa is not just killing the infected but ripping apart health services, devastating communities, and destroying people’s ability to support themselves.
Nearly 5000 people have died and over 10,000 have been infected by the Ebola virus. The outbreak is not only a health crisis, but also a humanitarian crisis with global dimensions.
Already fragile health services are not able to contain this outbreak, with a severe lack of trained health workers and vital equipment, as well as a dangerous lack of knowledge within communities about how to prevent the spread of the disease. If the Ebola outbreak continues to grow unabated, the global famine warning system predicts West Africa could experience a major food crisis by January.
DEC member agencies and their partners are working urgently to help stop the spread of the disease and providing support to those affected by the crisis. You can help stop the spread by donating NOW.
The DEC brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: Action Aid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.