Third container of supplies reaches Ebola sufferers in Sierra Leone

20 | 2 | 2015

The World Olympians Association’s [WOA] #TargetEbola campaign has stepped up its aid distribution in Sierra Leone with the arrival of a third container of supplies.

A shipment of over 100 new mattresses, welcomed by Government officials and other community leaders, has been given to the Connaught Community Hospital in the capital Freetown. The much-needed supplies will be used to furnish beds in the hospital, which is currently undergoing a refurbishment in order to cope with the large increase in patients as a result of the Ebola outbreak.

The latest delivery marks the second hand-over of vital supplies by the WOA in as many weeks after  two containers of medical and protective equipment, including masks, gloves, thermometers and other essential supplies aimed at stopping the transmission of disease were presented to aid workers and volunteers around the region at the end of January.

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:

“The delivery of this latest shipment of aid supplies to Sierra Leone is a testament to the ongoing support from Olympians and the wider sporting community and their commitment to help the WOA reach this significant milestone in the #TargetEbola campaign. Three containers of vital medical, protective and sterile equipment have now reached those in Sierra Leone who need it most and the supplies are already being used to help fight the spread of this terrible disease.

“The WOA recognises that the battle is not over yet and we will continue to work together with the sporting family, Oxfam and Medisend International to raise awareness so that we can continue to provide aid to those in need and help save lives.”

Agibu Tejan Jalloh, Deputy Spokesman for the Sierra Leone Government, said:

“On behalf of the Sierra Leone Government, I would like to express how thankful we are to the World Olympians Association for donating these welcomed supplies. The equipment will assist greatly in the refurbishment of the Connaught Hospital – a key development in the country’s health care reconstruction.”

Dr John Yambasu, Bishop of the Sierra Leone United Methodist Church, said:

“We are very grateful to the WOA for the timely delivery of supplies. Ebola is killing people every day and these supplies will help greatly as a prevention measure against the spread of the virus.” 

#TargetEbola was launched in October 2014 following a plea to the WOA from two-time Sierra Leone Olympian Francis Dove Edwin who is also a member of Presidential task force to fight the spread of the virus in his home country. Since then the WOA has teamed up with international aid organisation Oxfam and US humanitarian NGO Medisend International to deliver much needed supplies to West Africa. 

The WOA is appealing to the rest of its 100,000 strong Olympian community and the wider sporting family around the world to get involved and promote #TargetEbola, the donation link, www.targetebola.org/donate, and the SMS details, Text TARGET to 70066 [UK only].

International Federations can find out more about how they can make a difference by visiting the dedicated resources page on the #TargetEbola website. Go to targetebola.org/resources to discover what your organisation can do to get behind this important campaign.

A growing list of Olympians already support the #TargetEbola campaign, including  Usain Bolt, Novak Djokovic, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Carl Lewis, Claudia Bokel, Hicham el Guerrouj, Koji Murofushi and Pernilla Wiberg.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Peace and Sport, SportAccord, World Rugby, the International Golf Federation (IGF), International Federation of SAMBO (FIAS), Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UPIM) and iSportConnect have also backed the campaign.