UCC Disaster Ministries helps fund Ebola treatment, prevention in DRC

(Update of our earlier story.)

UCC Disaster Ministries is responding to help contain a serious outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

UCC Global Ministries partner, Community of Disciples of Christ (CDCC), reports that its medical department already has “people in their hospitals who have been in contact with people with Ebola. There are 39 confirmed cases over the past five weeks. Eighteen people have died in Ikolo Imepenge.”

Funds will be used to provide protective equipment to Bolenge Hospital and 10 health centers; medication, increased screenings and education on sanitation to prevent the spread of Ebola.

UCC Disaster Ministries also is supporting IMA World Health, of which it is a member. Working closely with the DRC Ministry of Health, IMA World Health has positioned public health workers in critical locations where their expertise can save lives, and is working to procure and distribute personal protective equipment in health zones where the deadly disease has taken root.

“IMA World Health has worked to strengthen the health system in the DRC for nearly two decades,” said President and CEO Rick Santos. “In addition to providing access to basic health services for millions of people in DRC, we’ve provided critical data infrastructure support that’s helping the country’s Ministry of Health monitor and respond to the outbreak.

“Member support is critical to saving as many lives as possible in one of the world’s most fragile countries,” Santos said. UCC Disaster Ministries has responded generously to past Ebola outbreaks.

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