Lifesaving Information: Halting Ebola in Liberia

Since our last update, we’re happy to say that we’ve sent a further consignment of our emergency Polaris radio-lights to Liberia. Our local partner, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has distributed the radios in areas where they’ve been enthusiastically received. The Polaris is an ideal product in such emergency situations – it’s providing people with trusted information and support, light at night, and isn’t reliant on batteries or electricity for power.

One of the recipients of the Polaris is Josephine, a 32-year-old Ebola survivor who lost 29 family members, including her husband and her three children. It is hard to comprehend the enormity and devastation of her loss. What is so remarkable about Josephine, though, is that she has since taken in and is looking after six children who had also lost their families to the virus. Our gift of a radio seems like a small gesture indeed measured against the generosity and compassion of her heart – but we are grateful that the Polaris is able to make a positive difference in her life. Josephine was interviewed by the UNDP after receiving her Polaris – and you can listen to her words here.  

Reports coming out of Liberia indicate that the Ebola outbreak is largely under control, but it will be months before life starts returning to what is was before. Radios – and the life-saving support they provide – are still urgently needed. People have been left even worse off financially, and are unlikely to be able to afford batteries for radios. We will be continuing to raise funds for further units to Liberia; and the UNDP will distribute as many as we can send.

We’re thrilled to report that we’ve sent a large number of our emergency Polaris radio-lights to Liberia. The Polaris is an ideal product for the Ebola outbreak: with its choice of solar, hand crank and external power recharge options, it doesn’t require costly batteries, and it’s rubberized for the humid climate of Liberia. The LED flashlight gives the added benefit of providing dependable light at night for either walking or undertaking a task.

Our local partner is the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). They are working closely with the government in its national Ebola response. In conjunction with Liberia's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), the Polaris units will be distributed in Montseraddo - a hotspot of Ebola outbreaks in Liberia. The UNDP and Ministry are conducting a door-to-door awareness campaign, while searching for the sick and the dead.  The radios are a vital component of the campaign, as they can provide families who are quarantined with the information they so desperately need. There is no shortage of information on Ebola being broadcast by local radio stations, but for many Liberians the cost of a radio and ongoing cost of batteries is simply prohibitive.  In addition, the Ebola crisis is impacting livelihoods and people who are already poor have even less ability to buy what they need. 

Information being broadcast includes overall health information, how to keep from being infected, and what to do if people suspect they have Ebola. Many African singers have done a great job in producing catchy songs with information about Ebola – and our radios are helping ensure that people hear these vital messages.

We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors who’ve made it possible for us to make a significant contribution to the fight against Ebola. We will be continuing to raise funds to send further units to West Africa.