LIBERIA: Lower Bong Benefits Ebola Awareness from ACT-Alliance
By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – A workshop aimed at providing basic awareness on the spread and prevention of the Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia has been held in Lower Bong County by the Action by Churches Together (ACT-Alliance) Liberia Forum.
Participants in Bong Mines
Workshop participants at the close of the entire exercise in Bong Mines, Bong county
Participants in Mawa
Participants in Handii, Fuamah District Seat
The workshop was held in Mawa, Handii and Bong Mines respectively, Fuamah District in Bong County.
Providing an overview of the workshop, ACT-Alliance Liberia Forum Emergency Focal Person, Vandi Kallon said his organization saw it necessary to carry on a vigorous Ebola Awareness Training amongst the citizens of Liberia, especially areas that were hard hit by the virus.
Mr. Kallon asserted that the workshop would enable beneficiaries to ascertain the facts surrounding the spread and prevention of Ebola.
He disclosed that ACT-Alliance Liberia Forum’s response to the fight of Ebola outbreak is not only focusing on relief, but an approach to enable citizens and communities affected by the virus contain the spread of the disease.
The ACT-Alliance Liberia Forum Emergency Focal person described the workshop as a medium through which beneficiaries will be capacitated to inform others about the dreadful Ebola virus.
He reminded the participants that the workshop would provide the opportunity for them to assist national government and partners in halting and eradicating the spread of the virus.
Mr. Kallon also used the occasion to assure the beneficiaries of the commitment of ACT-Alliance Liberia Forum in assisting them in the fight against the Ebola virus.
The workshop focused on prevention, spread and containment of the virus, including, caring for individuals affected by the virus and the preparation of hand washing liquid.
For their part , the participants thanked ACT-Alliance for such a training to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in their respective communities.
They disclosed that if such a training was provided at the initial stage of the virus, it would have been contained.
Speaking on behalf of residents of Mawa, Town Chief Jalieh Baokai commended ACT-Alliance for responding to the request of residents for the holding of the workshop.
Chief Boakai described the training as an eye opener for the citizens of Mawa, adding that it will serve as a tool for them in stopping the further spread of the Ebola virus.
For his part the Medical Officer of the village, Thomas Zealand, said the training would play a cardinal role in fighting Ebola.
Mr. Zealand said the workshop was timely for residents to acquire first hand information on the spread and prevention of the disease.
He called on government and partners to assist the area with a modern clinic to enable residents receive medical treatment when they are ill.
Also making remarks, the Officer in Charge of Handii Clinic, Juah Tarpeh, said the administration of the clinic was pleased with such a training on the Ebola virus.
She said informing citizens in the area about the true nature of the Ebola virus has been a major challenge for health practitioners.
Madam Tarpeh however commended ACT-Alliance Liberia Forum for the training workshop.
She also called on government and partners to assist the clinic with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for health workers at the clinic.
Making remarks at the end of the workshop, Fuama District Health Officer, Francis Kollie, noted that there was a need for such a workshop to be extended to other parts of the District, especially areas sharing borders with Gbapolu County.
Mr. Kollie revealed that issues of denial still exist amongst local residents concerning the true existence of the Ebola Virus Disease.
He however described the training sponsored by ACT-Alliance as an opportunity for residents to be informed about the danger of the virus and how it can be prevented.
The three workshops in Mawa, Handii and Bong Mines Communities were marked with the distribution of anti-Ebola materials by ACT-Alliance Liberia Forum.
