* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
In an effort to deliver life-saving health equipment to Ebola-affected countries, a cargo plane transporting 14 ambulance cars has taken off today from Zaragoza airport in Spain to Guinea Conakry. This is the third cargo airlift funded by a €1 million contribution from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO).
The ambulances will serve the Ministry of Health in Guinea to transport suspected cases of Ebola and move these individuals to Ebola treatment facilities both in the capital and within the country, in forest areas. The ambulances have been funded by the World Bank and the West Africa Health Organisation. The ambulance cars will become a lifeline in Guinea, where health facilities are strained due to the Ebola outbreak. In the absence of suitable equipment, many Ebola victims rely on taxis to reach the hospitals — posing risks of infection for the vehicles’ passengers.
The airlifted cargo will also include therapeutic food and protective and sanitary equipment, such as gloves and water tanks with a total cargo value of € 505 018.
The first EU-UNICEF funded flight, which left on 10 October from Amsterdam to Freetown, carried vaccines, health supplies and protective equipment, while the second cargo plane that took off from Luxembourg to Monrovia on 27 October delivered emergency therapeutic food items and health equipment.
Background
The current Ebola outbreak is affecting the West Africa region: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and now Mali. By 23 October, there have been more than 10 141 reported cases, including 4 922 deaths from the disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The disease has already claimed the lives of more than 240 health workers.
Air transport (commercial air services, air ambulances, or even military airlift) is essential for tackling the epidemic, notably for the entry and circulation of health workers and supplies, medical evacuation and keeping EU diplomatic missions operational in the countries concerned.
The European Union has contributed more than €800 million in financial assistance for the fight against the epidemic. This includes funding from the European Commission (more than €200 million) and Member States.
For related news and stories visit ECHO's website.
