Ebola survivors protest in Nimba
More than 10 Ebola survivors in Small Ganta and other parts of Nimba County have threatened to pick bones with the World Food Program, or WFP, for alleged neglect, while others say they would commit suicide due to continuous stigmatization from residents.
According to the Ebola survivors, the WFP left them out of a recent cell phones distribution along with mobile money.
One of the aggrieved survivors Mamie Forlay, told The New Dawn Nimba correspondent they were enticed to post for photograph, but unfortunately didn’t receive these items.
“The Nimba County Health Team, WFP, and UNICEF have been distributing food rations and other relief items to Ebola survivors in Small Ganta community, but only today they are coming up to stop us from receiving these rations”, she lamented.
“My brother, we have told them to give us document, indicating that we too suffered from the virus”, said Lydia Sanagon, a survivor.
Another Ebola victim, Janet Kidau, said she lost all of her family members to the virus after she was infected.
Small Ganta is the first community in Nimba County that was hit by the Ebola Virus Disease.
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A report from the County Health Team, WFP and UNICEF disclosed that Nimba has a total of 71 Ebola survivors, but only 12 received ZTE Phones each from the organization.
Those left out were told they would benefit because they do not have any document from the Ebola Treatment Unit in the county to indicate that indeed, they are genuine survivors.
Recently, the local entertainment group, Crusaders for Peace Without Borders led by Cultural Ambassador Julie Endee, launched an anti-stigmatization campaign in the county in collaboration with international and local groups.
The NewDawn correspondent, who had gone to cover the ceremony was attacked and demanded to delete photographs taken at the Johnson Wesley Pearson High School.
When contacted, the County Health Team, including the World Food Program and UNICEF refused to speak to our Nimba correspondent.
By Franklin Doloquee, Nimba
