Finland Times

 

A man, wearing a protective mask, poses in front of an isolation center for people suffering from the Ebola virus, on August 12, 2014 at the airport in Abidjan. Photo AFP-Lehtikuva.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Wednesday decided to provide EUR 280,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through the Finnish Red Cross and EUR 500,000 to the World Health Organisation for their efforts against the spread of Ebola.

 

WHO has declared the Ebola epidemic a global health emergency.  More than 1,700 cases of Ebola have been reported to WHO with almost 1,000 deaths. 

 

“The situation is alarming as the number of cases keeps growing. If the epidemic in West Africa cannot be suppressed, the consequences will be catastrophic,” said Minister for International Development Pekka Haavisto in a press release.

 

As the Ebola epidemic continues, local healthcare systems are unable to respond to the situation. The affected regions suffer from lack of nursing staff. At the request of WHO and the local ministry of health, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is, for the first time, in the process of establishing a clinic in Kenema, Sierra Leone, focusing solely on treating Ebola patients. Médecins sans Frontières and WHO will provide technical support. 

 

The Finnish Red Cross will contribute to the mission by deploying professional delegates.

 

The Finn Church Aid will also retarget some of the funds granted to it by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for work in Liberia to fight against Ebola.

 

The aid will be paid from Finland’s appropriations for humanitarian assistance included in development co-operation funding.