DIO CE,SE, OF' CAPE, PALMASP.O. Box 212, 6500 HARPER,10 LIBERIA

Cell: +231-777-519-766 I 231€86-51 9-766Email: bishopofcapepalmas@gmail.com

OFFICE OF THE BISHOP

A STATEMENT ON THE OUTBREAK OF THE EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE IN LIBERIA

BY MOST REV. ANDREW JAGAYE KARNLEY

BISHOP OF CAPE PALMASOctober 15,2Ot4

The outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in Liberia since March 201,4 is

unprecedented. lt has spread rapidly and caused unimaginable deaths and

suffering in many parts of the country. People are living in fear and anxiety. The

rapid advance and spread of the virus is attributable to the weak and vulnerable

nature of Liberia's healthcare system. The lack of well trained, equipped medical

staff and adequate logistics, the challenge of disseminating information about the

virus and how to prevent it, inadequate financial resources, and the myths and

denial about the existence of the virus are but some key factors that have caused

it to spread so rapidly.

The outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease has now received global attention and

support as there are now determined and concerted efforts at different levels toprevent the further spread of the virus and to treat those that have been infected.

lnternational partners are supporting initiatives at various levels (national,

regional, county, district, and community). The response of the Catholic Church in

Liberia to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease is being supported by her

international partners and missionary institutions in the Europe and the United

States. We are grateful to allthose who have responded so positivelyto us in our

hour of need.

The efforts aimed at fighting the virus are laudable; but we must especially take

cognizance of the necessity of sparing no effort to mobilize and create awareness

about the virus. People need to be told the DO's and DON'T's concerning the

virus. The myths and state of denial about the virus must be challenged and

exposed. The old adage that prevention is better than cure is relevant to the

process of creating awareness. The proper methods of prevention should be

taught over and again. A long term strategy for mobilization and creating

awareness should be put into place even after Liberia is declared free of the virus.

USA Address: Diocese of Cape Palmas, do SMA Fathers, 23 Bliss Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670, USAFax: 201 -567-71 56 Tel.: 201 -567-9085

The role of the media is indispensable in creating awareness. lt is necessary thatinformation about the virus is taken to people from door to door and by radio as

well.

The training of health workers and care givers in the prevention and treatment ofthe Ebola Virus Disease is an effort that deserves the utmost attention. The

deaths of doctors, nurses and other care givers can only be considered as

unfortunate, tragic and irreparable losses. Health workers and care givers deserve

to be given proper equipment and other medical logistics to do their work in thefight against this deadly virus. This is a fundamental right and not a privilege thatthey should be accorded. This will augur well in restoring the confidence and

commitment of all those who work in the health sector in Liberia. Also, variousforms of incentives would go a long way to motivate them.

The establishment of vital facilities like laboratories, isolation units, emergencytreatment units and the acquisition of all the necessary logistics for these

facilities to be fully functional should be the concern and priority of theGovernment of Liberia and other stakeholders in the fight against the Ebola Virus

Disease.

While serious efforts are being made to prevent the further spread of the Ebola

Virus Disease, its socio-economic and psycho-social impact is glaring. lt has

adversely affected the way we live, work, think and behave. Economic, business,

educational and social activities are severely bearing the brunt of the outbreak ofthe virus. People and communities are now stigmatized and even suffering undue

isolation and discrimination. The fear and anxiety caused by this virus should not

change us into people who discriminate against others. We should show

compassion and understanding towards those who have been victims of this

deadly virus. Any of us who could fall victim to the virus would love to be treatedwith love and compassion. Let us be reminded of the words of Jesus who says

that we do for Him whatever we do forthe least of His brothers and sisters (Mt.

25:40).

The outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease threatens and undermines food security

and the daily means by which many people make a living. Liberia is thus becoming

a country in which some people are not only sick, but even many more are

hungry for basic food and other human necessities. We need to take steps to

proactively address this emerging situation of hunger and deprivation.

It should be made known that the perennial realities of deplorable roads, very

poor means of transportation, inadequate communication facilities (mobile

phone and internet) and deeply entrenched traditional beliefs and practices in

the rural parts of Liberia are some factors that are mitigating the fight against the

Ebola Virus Disease. There needs to be a progressive improvement in the roads

and communication facilities in the counties of the southeastern region especially

as well as other rural parts of Liberia.

The fight against the Ebola Virus Disease has affected the timely re-opening of all

educational institutions for lhe 2014/2015 academic year and the holding of the

October 2OI4 Special Elections for the House of Senate. Despite the concerns and

anxiety that have arisen from these two issues, we need to be realistic to know

that the current environment is not conducive for the re-opening of educational

institutions and the holding of Special Elections for the House of Senate. Let us be

patient and realistic about these issues. Schools will re-open and elections will

take place when the environment is conducive and healthy to do so.

There is a great amount of truth in the African proverb which says that "one

finger cannot pick lice out of a person's hair". So it is the case in the fight against

the Ebola Virus Disease. lt is a collective effort in which every Liberian must take

responsibility and contribute his/her quota to this campaign. Every Liberian must

see himself/herself as the person responsible to act wisely in their actions and

words in adhering to the prevention methods. Liberia can only be declared free

of this deadly virus if we are prepared to do all we can to stop it in its tracks.

Though the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease is a serious problem on our

hands, we should also realize that it provides us the opportunity to know that the

health system of Liberia is weak and inadequately equipped. Hence, we need to

invest more in the health sector to avoid the recurrence of a calamity of such

proportion. This problem must also challenge us to see the need to improve our

sense of personal hygiene and the sanitation of the places in which we live, work,

learn and socialize. We should therefore take the appropriate measures to keep

ourselves and our environments clean and healthy.

Let us commend all stakeholders, local and international, for their support in the

fight against the Ebola Virus Disease. We honor the memory and pray for all those

who have fallen victim to the virus. We ask the Lord for protection for ourselves

and those on the frontline in the fight against the virus; and we beseech Him to

heal all those who are infected with the virus. And let us entertain the vibrant

hope, with hard work and fervent prayers for divine intervention, that Liberia and

the entire West African region will be free of the Ebola Virus Disease.