The Salvation Army seeks donations to support children impacted by Ebola

by Maritime
Categories: News Archive
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    More than 10 months have passed since Ebola was first identified in West Africa, but the scale of the crisis continues to grow. The deadliest outbreak on record, Ebola is claiming the lives of 70 per cent of people infected. The Salvation Army is responding to the crisis and asking for Canadians to support its relief efforts in Liberia.

    “Orphaned children sit alone in their homes and no one is willing to claim them,” says Major Samuel Amponsah, The Salvation Army’s General Secretary in Liberia. “People quarantined have no food, and rice has more than doubled in price. But Salvation Army workers and volunteers are risking their lives to distribute food.”

    The Salvation Army has served in Liberia for more than 25 years. Because of its long-term presence, The Salvation Army has been able to react quickly to the outbreak, has access to many isolated family homes and is fully aware of the reality of people’s fears and concerns.

    “The Salvation Army in Canada is looking at how it can best support the increasing number of children who are left orphaned and stigmatized when their parents fall ill with the disease,” says Major Gillian Brown, Director of World Missions for The Salvation Army in Canada. “We are calling on Canadians to support our Ebola Relief campaign.”

    The immediate need was, and is, to provide food items, sanitization and protective gear. The Salvation Army in Canada has distributed beans and rice, chlorine and other sterilizing chemicals, gloves, mouth guards, safety buckets, and protective wear to patients, suspected Ebola patients and others. Long-term, The Salvation Army will provide ongoing assistance to orphans and vulnerable children and families.

    Donations can be made online at SalvationArmy.ca/ebola or by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY.