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| Ebola appeal receives £4m in two days, organisers say | Ebola appeal receives £4m in two days, organisers say |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A public appeal to help people affected by the Ebola crisis in West Africa has received £4 million in donations in its first two days, organisers have said. | A public appeal to help people affected by the Ebola crisis in West Africa has received £4 million in donations in its first two days, organisers have said. |
| The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said it had been "overwhelmed" by the "extraordinary generosity" of the UK public since the appeal was launched. | The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said it had been "overwhelmed" by the "extraordinary generosity" of the UK public since the appeal was launched. |
| The UK government is to match the first £5 million of donations made. | The UK government is to match the first £5 million of donations made. |
| Ebola has killed almost 5,000 people and infected more than 13,000 in West Africa since the start of the year. | Ebola has killed almost 5,000 people and infected more than 13,000 in West Africa since the start of the year. |
| On Friday, the World Health Organisation said 4,951 people had died during the current outbreak, with 13,567 reported cases up to 29 October. | On Friday, the World Health Organisation said 4,951 people had died during the current outbreak, with 13,567 reported cases up to 29 October. |
| Protective clothing | Protective clothing |
| Donations have been made after appeals were aired by the main UK broadcasters on Thursday. | Donations have been made after appeals were aired by the main UK broadcasters on Thursday. |
| It is the first time the DEC has sought funds in response to a disease outbreak. | It is the first time the DEC has sought funds in response to a disease outbreak. |
| "We are extremely grateful to the UK government for the aid match funding which is a significant boost to the appeal," chief executive of DEC Saleh Saeed said. | "We are extremely grateful to the UK government for the aid match funding which is a significant boost to the appeal," chief executive of DEC Saleh Saeed said. |
| "The UK government will match a further £1 million raised, so we encourage the UK public to donate as soon as possible to double the amount of their donation. | "The UK government will match a further £1 million raised, so we encourage the UK public to donate as soon as possible to double the amount of their donation. |
| "Our member agencies have already achieved so much - providing protective clothing, educating communities and supporting safe and dignified burials - but there is so much more to do." | "Our member agencies have already achieved so much - providing protective clothing, educating communities and supporting safe and dignified burials - but there is so much more to do." |
| Agencies have been increasing their aid efforts in West Africa, where they have already helped more than 2.5 million people affected by the Ebola crisis, a DEC spokesman said. | Agencies have been increasing their aid efforts in West Africa, where they have already helped more than 2.5 million people affected by the Ebola crisis, a DEC spokesman said. |
| They included people in some in the worst-affected and most remote areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia, the spokesman added. | They included people in some in the worst-affected and most remote areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia, the spokesman added. |
| Deaths from Ebola | Deaths from Ebola |
| Justin Forsyth, chief executive of the charity Save the Children, said donations would make "a massive difference" by helping to pay for nurses and doctors on the ground. | |
| Speaking to the BBC from Sierra Leone, he said officials needed additional staff and equipment and called on more governments around the world to offer financial support. | |
| "It is getting worse, not better, on the ground here; we are not yet ahead of the curve, we are in a race against time and we need to urgently act on the ground - and money if very, very important," he said. | |
| It comes after Canada announced it was to suspend visa applications from residents and passport-holders from West African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak. | It comes after Canada announced it was to suspend visa applications from residents and passport-holders from West African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak. |
| The decision follows a similar decision by Australia, which drew criticism from the World Health Organization (WHO). | The decision follows a similar decision by Australia, which drew criticism from the World Health Organization (WHO). |
| The ban would apply to countries with "widespread and persistent-intense transmission", Canada said. | The ban would apply to countries with "widespread and persistent-intense transmission", Canada said. |
| Other Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeals: | Other Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeals: |
| To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk | To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk |