Church responds to international emergency of Ebola

With the Ebola outbreak in West Africa declared an international health emergency, United Methodist church leaders in Liberia are educating people about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Above all they are reminding Liberians that Jesus Christ is a healer.

“Fear has gripped the nation,” the Rev. George Wilson, United Methodist communicator with the Liberia Annual Conference, told United Methodist News Service.

The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa an international health emergency. This breakout is the worst in the four-decade history of tracking the disease, the U.N. health agency said.

United Methodist Communications, the denomination’s communication agency in Nashville, Tennessee, is sending a $10,000 crisis communications grant to the United Methodist Liberia Annual (regional) Conference to help get out messages through printed fliers, banners and radio. A second $10,000 grant will go to Sierra Leone. United Methodist Communications also has reached out to church leaders in Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

“This crisis illustrates the strategic importance of communications. The lack of clear information at the outset of the crisis is now compounding the tragedy as misinformation and fear increase,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, top executive of United Methodist Communications.

“In circumstances such as this crisis, support for helping build the capacity to communicate effectively is urgent and life-saving. Communication is aid,” he said.

The Foundation for United Methodist Communications has established an emergency communications fund for providing support in crises and disasters, including the Ebola outbreak. Donations can be made here.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief, the denomination’s humanitarian relief arm, has sent $87,000 in grants to the countries affected and stands ready to fund additional projects. It has sent lifesaving supplies and protective equipment to both Liberia and Sierrae Leone.

Church leaders in Liberia are also deploying young people with megaphones to more remote locations to reach people who are illiterate or speak different languages. This method was effective in getting out messages during the civil war that ended in 2003, Wilson said.

United Methodist Communications is also speaking to Liberian United Methodist conference leaders about using text messaging through SMS and voice-based mobile solutions.

Hospitals, clinics abandoned

Wilson reported Ganta United Methodist Hospital is open but not operating at full capacity. He said most of the hospitals and clinics in the country have been abandoned because health care workers are leaving due to fear they will become infected. Health care workers are at the highest risk of catching the disease, which is transmitted by contact with body fluids such as blood, vomit, urine and stools, and possibly through sweat.

Wilson said the ministry of health gave out misinformation in the beginning of the crisis when officials told people the only symptoms were red eyes, vomiting and passing blood.

“There is still a high state of denial among people who might be infected,” he said.

Hollon added that some government and health officials are saying the health care delivery system of the country is collapsing “because people are afraid to go to hospitals, don't believe their loved ones have Ebola, and are self-medicating at home with the result of even greater public health problems.”

Churches educating, leading

United Methodist Bishop John G. Innis sent out a pastoral letter July 22, urging United Methodists as well as Liberians in general to take the Ebola outbreak seriously.

“We must accept the fact that the Ebola virus is actually present in Liberia and we must observe every medical advice given by health authorities and institutions.

“Specifically, United Methodist pastors, district superintendents and Sunday school teachers must share the information with their local churches and districts,” he wrote.

The Liberian National Council of Churches is holding a prayer service at Providence Baptist Church on Aug. 8 to conclude three days of fasting and prayer for an end to the outbreak.

United Methodist pastors and church leaders are coming together for training in what the symptoms of Ebola are, how it can spread and what treatments are available, Wilson said. All the messages carry words of hope and the reality of God’s presence.

“We are telling them it is not connected to any traditional taboos that were broken, no superstitions about evil surrounding them,” Wilson said. “Our hope is in Jesus Christ, in knowing he is a healer and will bring Ebola under control.

“Keep us in your prayers, with God all things are possible. It is our hope Ebola will soon be history in the name of Jesus Christ,” Wilson said.