Cordaid has sent health kits and other supplies to fight Ebola in Sierra Leone. Photo by Cordaid
Caritas member Cordaid in the Netherlands is sending thousands of kilos of medical supplies and equipment to Ebola-hit West Africa.
Last week, a Dutch naval ship arrived in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, bearing items to help hospital and clinic staff combat the deadly virus.
The Cordaid materials include disposable overalls, gloves, masks, goggles, soap, water purification tablets, and “no-touch” forehead thermometers so health care staff can take people’s temperatures without contracting the disease. The items are being distributed at hospitals and clinics.
“The materials will protect clinic personnel and to help them to be more safe when treating their patients,” says Paul Borsboom of Cordaid. “Among the recipients will be Catholic hospitals and diocesan clinics.”
The ship also delivered items donated by other charitable organisations, including ambulances, laboratory materials, protective clothing and body bags. Another shipload will depart in early December. For many months, Cordaid and other Caritas members have provided emergency aid to fight Ebola in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.
For more information, please contact Jos de Voogd of Cordaid at [email protected]