Ebola: Action Update

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

In the past several months, the Ebola outbreak has claimed thousands of lives. The virus has spread rapidly, and with no approved vaccine and a high fatality rate, the World Health Organization is now calling it "one of the world’s most lethal diseases." Ebola has spread to multiple countries, the hardest hit being Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

In addition to health care, one of the most urgent needs is food. As people in affected areas are quarantined to their homes, towns are being shut down to limit the spread of the disease and people are not able to work, harvest crops or purchase food. The shipment of food has also stopped because people from other countries fear contracting the virus.

“We need food,” says the Rev. D. Jensen Seyenkulo, bishop of the Lutheran Church in Liberia. "There is a saying now: 'If we don’t die of Ebola, we will die of starvation.'" | Watch video

You can help. Your gifts to the Ebola Outbreak Response will be used, 100 percent, to assist those impacted by this crisis. Our partners and companion churches have requested our help in responding to the outbreak with food distributions, shipment of personal protective equipment, training health workers, outreach through education about prevention, and construction of an isolation unit at Phebe Hospital and School of Nursing in Liberia.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its predecessor church have walked with the people of Liberia for more than 150 years. Our long-standing relationship with our companions in Liberia and Sierra Leone provides a strong foundation to respond holistically to the needs of those who are suffering and living with the threat of Ebola.

Thank you for your prayers, your partnership and your gifts.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Daniel Rift
Director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal

P.S.  Use this bulletin insert in your congregation to pray for the people affected and support the Ebola Outbreak Response.