Caritas Response of Caritas Internationalis to the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa - actions in most affected countries January15, 2015

Caritas According to WHO, the situation as of January 4, 2015 was the following: More than cases of Ebola Virus Disase, half of which occurred in EVD Sierra Leone. Cases/deaths : Guinea: 2,775/1,781 Liberia: 8,157/3,496 Sierra Leone: 9,780/2,943

Health centers And clinics have been Very hard hit!

Caritas Caritas organizations and their partners in local Church ministry, have a a clear obligation to mount a vigorous and effective response to the EVD outbreak in West Africa and to contribute to international efforts to prevent further spread of the disease to other parts of Africa or other regions of the world. Caritas structures in the region already have been engaged to the full extent of their capacity. They have: - contributed to services provided in Catholic health facilities, advocated for greater support from national and local governments and from the international community, - initiated community education and volunteer programmes, provided material and pastoral assistance to those unable to provide for their daily sustenance, - accompanied families, orphans, and neighbours as they mourn those who have died, and helped to reintegrate those who have recovered from the disease. Contributions of Caritas and other Catholic Organizations at national, diocesan and local levels

Caritas Caritas Internationalis launched 5 Emergency appeals (Eas) to assist the responses of Caritas organizations in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia: OCPH-Caritas Guinea: 1 st emergency phase (April-September 2014) Budget: approx. EUR 160,000 (100% financed). 2 nd emergency phase (September 2014-february 2015) Budget: approx. EUR 480,000 (100% financed). Caritas Sierra Leone: 1 st emergency phase (August-December 2014) Budget: approx. EUR 270,000 (130% financed). 2 nd emergency phase (January-September 2015) launched on December 23, 2014 Budget: approx. EUR so far more than 25% financed. Caritas Liberia: 1 st emergency phase (Octobre 2014-March 2015), now being revised (Janvier-june 2015) Budget: approx. EUR (more than 75% % finacned).

Dr Fanta, “a survivor”,speaking on Radio Veritas about her experience Recovered patients can be Important assets in Community-based training Programs

Caritas CI works in close cooperation with WHO which requested CI to contribute to the revision of the WHO guidelines on safe burial practices in a time of Ebola outbreak. CI prepared and distributed “CI Guidelines for planning and provision of pastoral and social support services in response to Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)”; this was sent to all Caritas organizations and many other Catholic organizations. CI organized a conference on Ebola, in Rome, on 4 November There was wide participation from Caritas members, Vatican offices, embassies to the Holy See, religious orders and other Catholic organizations. Mons. Robert Vitillo, CI Special Advisor on Health and HIV, made two visits to the region – to Liberia in September 2014 and then to Liberia and Sierra Leone in December 2014,; the latter visit was made with His Eminence Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Vatican’s Council for Justice and Peace. While in Sierra Leone, Mons. Vitillo facilitated a workshop on psycho-social and pastoral care of people living with or affected by Ebola. CI has assisted the Vatican to coordinate an Initiative on: “Expanding the Catholic Church’s Commitment to the Ebola Emergency Response”; the Vatican launched this initiative with 500,000 Euro and is inviting other partners to contribute to this program. CI has given many interview and written many articles about the situation in West Africa.