The Isle of Man International Development Committee has pledged ?100,000 in support of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to address the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, which has caused misery to thousands of families in the region.  The countries which are worst affected by this outbreak are Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Over 5,000 people have now died and more than 13,000 have been infected by the Ebola virus.  The current epidemic is the largest and most complex outbreak since the virus was discovered nearly 40 years ago. The World Health Organisation recently declared the outbreak as a health and humanitarian crisis with global implications.  In its 50 year history, this is the first time that the DEC has mounted an appeal in response to a disease outbreak.  
 
Minister Phil Gawne MHK, Chair of the International Development Committee commented: “This significant contribution will help the DEC to provide practical support and vital public health information to millions of vulnerable people in West Africa in the fight to stop the spread of the disease.  I would urge the public to consider donating to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal through the street collections this weekend across the Island.”
 
Saleh Saeed OBE, Disasters Emergency Committee’s Chief Executive said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Isle of Man’s International Development Committee for their incredibly generous donation to the Ebola Crisis Appeal, which will play an important role in combatting the spread of the virus.  Our member agencies and partners are working urgently in the affected regions to help stop the spread of the disease and provide support to those affected.  We have been overwhelmed by the compassion shown by people since launching this unprecedented crisis appeal.”