Unicef helps Sierra Leone combat Ebola

With funds from the World Bank, Unicef has facilitated the delivery of medicines and other supplies worth over $825,000 for the treatment of people who have contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone.

A chartered UN cargo aircraft landed at the Lungi International Airport Friday with the drugs and medical supplies, Ximhua reported.

The supplies include latex gloves, intravenous fluids, assorted antibiotics and personal protective equipment, all of which are urgently needed to fight the Ebola epidemic.

"The World Bank is committed to improving the health of the people in Sierra Leone and eliminating Ebola," said Ato Brown, World Bank's country manager in Sierra Leone.

The funding from the World Bank comes from its $200 million pledge last month to help Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to contain the spread of Ebola, help their communities cope with the economic impact of the crisis, and improve public health systems in West Africa.

The supplies have been transferred to the Central Medical Store in Freetown for immediate dispatch to different Ebola treatment centres.

The Ebola outbreak has claimed over 2,000 lives in West African countries this year.