Red Cross Volunteer Dies in Sierra Leone
Freetown, 14 December 2015:
The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) is deeply saddened by the death of a staff member to the Ebola virus disease.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of this brave staff member during this particularly difficult time. We are extremely grateful for his work and dedication to the Red Cross, and to the fight against this deadly disease,” said Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General, IFRC.
The staff member was a nurse working at the IFRC Ebola treatment centre in Kenema. He passed away on 13 January 2015 and was confirmed positive for Ebola virus disease later that day. An investigation to determine how the staff member became infected is under way.
144 national staff and 19 international staff work at the IFRC treatment centre in Kenema. Since it opened in September, they have cared for more than 500 patients. This is the first death of a Red Cross volunteer or staff member since response operations were launched in April 2014…
“The death of a Red Cross staff member underscores how those who respond to the Ebola outbreak are on the front lines of this crisis – risking their health and, in some cases, their life, to assist those who are affected by the disease,” said Mr Sy… (read more)
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