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Ebola aid appeal launched by Disasters Emergency Committee Ebola aid appeal launched by Disasters Emergency Committee
(about 2 hours later)
An appeal for the Ebola crisis in West Africa is to be launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee.An appeal for the Ebola crisis in West Africa is to be launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee.
It is the first time the DEC - a group of 13 UK aid charities - has sought funds over a disease outbreak, which it says is "a sign of how serious the situation has become".It is the first time the DEC - a group of 13 UK aid charities - has sought funds over a disease outbreak, which it says is "a sign of how serious the situation has become".
Appeals will be made by all the main UK broadcasters on Thursday.Appeals will be made by all the main UK broadcasters on Thursday.
Ebola has killed almost 5,000 people and infected more than 10,000 in West Africa since the start of the year.Ebola has killed almost 5,000 people and infected more than 10,000 in West Africa since the start of the year.
In its 50-year history, the DEC has launched appeals for humanitarian disasters caused by floods, famines, earthquakes, typhoons and conflicts, but not previously for a disease outbreak.In its 50-year history, the DEC has launched appeals for humanitarian disasters caused by floods, famines, earthquakes, typhoons and conflicts, but not previously for a disease outbreak.
Chief executive Saleh Saeed said: "In West Africa today we are seeing a disease create not just a medical crisis but a humanitarian emergency. Chief executive Saleh Saeed said the "explosive nature of the disease" had caused a "humanitarian catastrophe".
"Without urgent action to stop the spread of Ebola and to help those affected by the crisis, parts of West Africa face catastrophe within 60 days." "That has compelled the DEC to respond and help by ensuring that we are able to support people to stop the spread of Ebola before it becomes a major global catastrophe," he said.
He added that member agencies faced a shortfall of £69m to carry out their work in west Africa.
Of the 13 DEC charities, 11 are currently supporting work or planning to respond to the Ebola crisis in West Africa, with the majority of work focused on stopping the spread of the disease and providing support to those affected.Of the 13 DEC charities, 11 are currently supporting work or planning to respond to the Ebola crisis in West Africa, with the majority of work focused on stopping the spread of the disease and providing support to those affected.
The committee says £25 can provide cleaning kits including bleach, soap and a bucket for three families at risk from Ebola.The committee says £25 can provide cleaning kits including bleach, soap and a bucket for three families at risk from Ebola.
Basic protective clothing for three volunteers supporting people under quarantine can be provided for £50 and £100 can buy training for a community on how to keep itself safe from Ebola.Basic protective clothing for three volunteers supporting people under quarantine can be provided for £50 and £100 can buy training for a community on how to keep itself safe from Ebola.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says there could be 5,000-10,000 new cases of the deadly virus every week in the worst affected countries by December. Infection rates continue to grow in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.The World Health Organization (WHO) says there could be 5,000-10,000 new cases of the deadly virus every week in the worst affected countries by December. Infection rates continue to grow in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Cumulative deaths up to 23 OctoberCumulative deaths up to 23 October
The virus spreads through close contact and health officials say stopping the spread of the disease in the areas hardest hit by the outbreak will prevent Ebola's spread to other countries.The virus spreads through close contact and health officials say stopping the spread of the disease in the areas hardest hit by the outbreak will prevent Ebola's spread to other countries.
In August, the United Nations health agency declared an "international public health emergency", saying that a co-ordinated response was essential to halt the spread of the virus.In August, the United Nations health agency declared an "international public health emergency", saying that a co-ordinated response was essential to halt the spread of the virus.
By September, WHO director general Margaret Chan said that the "number of patients is moving far faster than the capacity to manage them".By September, WHO director general Margaret Chan said that the "number of patients is moving far faster than the capacity to manage them".
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, Thomas Frieden, said in October that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unlike anything since the emergence of HIV/Aids.Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, Thomas Frieden, said in October that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unlike anything since the emergence of HIV/Aids.
In the United States, two medical workers in Dallas, Texas, who treated a patient - who later died - tested positive for Ebola but have been released from hospital after treatment.In the United States, two medical workers in Dallas, Texas, who treated a patient - who later died - tested positive for Ebola but have been released from hospital after treatment.
Spanish nurse Teresa Romero was the first person to contract the virus outside West Africa. She was part of a team of about 30 staff at the Carlos II hospital in Madrid looking after two missionaries who returned from Liberia and Sierra Leone after becoming infected.Spanish nurse Teresa Romero was the first person to contract the virus outside West Africa. She was part of a team of about 30 staff at the Carlos II hospital in Madrid looking after two missionaries who returned from Liberia and Sierra Leone after becoming infected.
Germany, Norway and France and the UK have all treated patients who contracted the virus in West Africa.Germany, Norway and France and the UK have all treated patients who contracted the virus in West Africa.
Ebola virus disease (EVD)Ebola virus disease (EVD)
Ebola special reportEbola special report
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone has condemned Australia's decision to suspend entry visas for people from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa, describing it as "counterproductive" and "discriminatory".Meanwhile, Sierra Leone has condemned Australia's decision to suspend entry visas for people from Ebola-affected countries in West Africa, describing it as "counterproductive" and "discriminatory".
The move has also been criticised by Amnesty International, while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said travel restrictions would severely curtail efforts to beat Ebola.The move has also been criticised by Amnesty International, while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said travel restrictions would severely curtail efforts to beat Ebola.
Also, new US federal guidelines say medics returning from treating patients in West Africa should be monitored but not placed in quarantine.Also, new US federal guidelines say medics returning from treating patients in West Africa should be monitored but not placed in quarantine.
However, some states say they will continue with their quarantine polices.However, some states say they will continue with their quarantine polices.
To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.