British aid supplies arrive in Freetown to tackle Ebola outbreak
Two flights containing ambulances, tents, incinerators and further UK aid to tackle Ebola in Sierra Leone arrived this weekend.
A convoy of vehicles loaded with generators and other supplies from DFID arrives at the Kerry Town Ebola treatment unit in Sierra Leone. Picture: Staff Sergeant Tom Robinson RLC Crown Copyright
Two flights containing ambulances, tents and further UK aid to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone arrived in Freetown this weekend, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has confirmed.
The flights delivered equipment to assist with the construction and operation of the UK’s 92 bed treatment facility, including generators, air conditioning units and lighting sets.
A team of British military personnel - including logisticians, planners and engineers - are currently on the ground to oversee the construction of the UK’s facility near Freetown.
The ambulances and minibuses will be used to move blood samples and patients from local communities to the treatment centre. The ambulances have been fitted with special bulkheads to separate patients from the drivers to minimise the risk of infection.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said:
These vital supplies will ensure that our treatment facility can be set up as soon as possible. Construction of our treatment centre is now well underway and the first phase will be operational soon. Britain’s treatment centre will provide a lifeline of care to Ebola patients in Sierra Leone.
Two flights have delivered:
4 minibuses; 2 ambulances; 3 incinerators for disposing of clothing and other materials; 12 generators; lighting sets; latrine slabs; temporary warehouse tents; a fuel bowser; air conditioning units; 6 water tanks and 3 4x4 vehicles.
Further aid supplies will be deployed from the Department for International Development’s emergency warehouse in Kemble, Gloucestershire. The equipment, including personal protection equipment for health workers, will be flown to Freetown to assist with the construction of the UK’s medical facility.
Find out more about the UK response to the Ebola crisis
Notes to Editors
- The UK has pledged £125 million to support the global effort to contain, control and defeat the disease in Sierra Leone. This includes support for 700 Ebola treatment beds. These will provide direct medical care up to 8,800 patients over six months. It will also shore up the country’s stretched public health services to help contain the disease. This includes vital supplies such as chlorine and protective clothing for thousands of health workers.
- With UK support, WHO are now training over 120 health workers every week.
- On 2 October the UK hosted - alongside the Government of Sierra Leone - an international conference to rally the global community to provide an effective international response. The conference brought together more than 20 governments, a dozen charities and NGOs, the UN, World Bank, health experts and the private sector to pledge funds, equipment and health workers.
General media queries (24 hours)
Email mediateam@dfid.gov.uk
Telephone 020 7023 0600
If you have an urgent media query, please email the DFID Media Team on mediateam@dfid.gov.uk in the first instance and we will respond as soon as possible.