The presentation of the consignment of food was held on Friday 12th September 2014 at the Company’s Headquarters, Wilberforce in Freetown.
He said:“We appreciate Africell towards the fight against Ebola. Ebola is new to us and the Sub Region; therefore let us spend our time in educating our people. This is about acceptance and sacrifice. People need more knowledge and we want to reduce the number of deaths. We only have one Sierra Leone.”
The Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Foday Sawie Lahai, said Sierra Leone is at the crossroad and being threatened by Ebola, while calling on Sierra Leoneans to stand up to fight Ebola disease.
“We cannot do it all by ourselves. We need everyone in the fight that is why we appreciate Africell. We want to assure Africell that their support to the people of Sierra Leone and the Government will go a long way in the battle,” he noted, reiterating “A friend in need is a friend in deed”.
Africell’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Mr. Joe Abass Bangura, said the presentation is in line with the initiative launched by Africell’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shadi Gerjawi, on 19th August 2014, to set aside Le.1.00 (One Leone) for every minute spoken on our network; to be used to provide food provision as part of Africell’s continuing support to the ebola campaign.
“On Friday 29th 2014, Africell presented the first consignment of 22,500 kilos of rice to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for delivery to ebola epicenters and quarantined communities in Kailahun, Kenema, Bombali, Tonkolili and Port Loko,” he said.
“We are today presenting the second consignment of 20,000 kilos of rice for delivery to epicenters and quarantined communities in Freetown, Makeni, Bo, Kailhun, Kenema, Lunsar and Moyamba. This brings the total quantity of rice already provided to 42,500 kilos (850 bags). The next presentation ceremony will be done in two weeks’ time,” he continued.
Bangura also noted that these are indeed difficult times for the nation, thus quoting the President, “extraordinary challenges, demand extraordinary measures”, adding that one of the greatest help Africell can make in the fight is to ensure that Sierra Leoneans stop the transmission of the virus.
“We urge all Sierra Leoneans to be vigilant in following all the rules provided by health authorities to prevention infections; which include: regular washing of hands, avoid contact with sick people and people demonstrating the symptoms, avoid contact with dead bodies and people known to have died of the virus, for further information, call 117,” he said
He also said that in partnership with A.I. Radio, Africell will continue to provide vital information on the prevention and containment of the Ebola Virus Disease through the flagship weekday program “Join Hand for Dreb Ebola” that is brought to you in partnership with the Center for Disease Control, BBC Media Action and the Emergency Operations Center.