(Graphic courtesy Living Water International)
West Africa (LWI) — The Ebola epidemic sweeping West Africa has claimed a second doctor from Sierra Leone. The death toll continues to climb even as doctors race to find a vaccine.
Living Water International staff in Liberia and Sierra Leone desperately need your prayers. They are living and working in the midst of the deadliest outbreak of Ebola in history, risking their lives to bring clean water and the love of Jesus to those most in need.
To date, over 1,000 deaths have been attributed to the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria, according to World Health Organization figures. Health officials are being warned to be vigilant for the symptoms of the virus.
(Photo courtesy Living Water International)
Liberia’s president has ordered the nation’s schools to shut down and civil workers to stay home as fears of Ebola epidemic spread. There are now concerns that the virus could spread beyond West Africa. Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected, but patients have a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment.
LWI staff is taking preventive measures and exercising every precaution possible. Living Water International’s offices in Liberia and Sierra Leone are closing for two weeks, and all staff have been asked to remain home.
Kanyata Mukelabai, Living Water’s country director in Liberia reports, “My staff and I are serious about our precautions. We no longer shake hands. Chlorinated water is provided at two points at the office for everyone to wash their hands regularly and as they go to and from the office. This is now a practice at most offices and even churches.”
“There is now more awareness of the disease by the local people,” said Hastings Banda, Living Water’s country director in Sierra Leone. “Initially there was a lot of denial as people generally didn’t believe it was a disease. Of course there are still pockets of areas where some people still don’t believe. People going out of the affected areas are being screened before they can be allowed to go, to avoid spreading the disease to other areas.”
Please pray for:
- The protection and health of Living Water staff in Liberia and Sierra Leone
- Guidance and strength for Living Water leadership in Liberia and Sierra Leone
- An immediate end to the deadliest Ebola outbreak in history
