Expressions of Solidarity, Support for Member Churches in West Africa Impacted by Ebola

Churches in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria Appeal for Funds

(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Vice President for Africa Bishop Dr. Alex Malasusa has expressed solidarity and support for member churches in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria where the current outbreak of Ebola has killed more than 1,500 people.

“It is with a heavy heart that I write to your churches following the sad news of the killer disease Ebola, which has claimed the lives of our brothers and sisters in your countries, including pastors and evangelists. Men and women, young and old have had their lives cut short because of Ebola,” Malasusa said in a letter to the LWF member churches.

“We realize, too, that the churches are struggling with limited resources to serve those who have succumbed to the disease and others suffering from other diseases but cannot get medical treatment due to the Ebola restrictions. Please find comfort in knowing that your brothers and sisters are praying for you. We feel your pain and struggles.”

The Ebola virus could eventually infect 20,000 people and the actual number of current cases may already be two to four times higher than reported because of limits to the reporting capacity, the World Health Organization said. The number of estimated cases is now 3,069, including 1,552 deaths, in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria as of Aug. 26, according to figures released by the WHO.

The LWF member churches in West Africa are appealing for more funds to help them contain the outbreak of the disease, which began in Guinea in March, 2014, and quickly spread across the border into Sierra Leone and Liberia.

“The Lutheran Church in Liberia buried the fifth ordained minister, Pastor Gayflor Zaza, this past Saturday. Although Pastor Zaza did not die of Ebola, like many of the deaths that occur in the LCL today, he died because of Ebola,” said Lutheran Church in Liberia Bishop Jensen Seyenkulo. “No doubt, you have heard of the closures of most of our medical facilities. This makes it impossible to treat common illnesses. The deaths of Afraid, Augustine and Gayflor can all be attributed to this.”

“We need help! Many of the communities in which we carry on ministry are poor communities to begin with. Now being restricted to those communities is increasingly making their situation worse as they are unable to sell or do whatever they do to meet their basic needs,” he added. “We need to enter those communities with food and sanitation materials. I am aware that the church cannot do it all but we have taken the lead before. This time should be no different.”

Seyenkulo expressed his gratitude to ACT Alliance partners and the Lutheran Development Service (LDS) for providing five pallets of personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other supplies to the Lutheran Curran and Phebe hospitals in Bong and Lofa counties, which are among those treating patients with the disease. The Curran hospital remains open while a small number of health workers have returned to the recently closed Phebe hospital in preparation for the opening of new treatment and observation centers, he said.

“The Ebola virus has affected almost every aspect of life in our country. Now, schools will not reopen as was scheduled on September 10, but on October 14 instead. Travel across the West coast of Africa has become a serious problem,” Lutheran Church in Nigeria Bishop Christian Ekong said. “Our scheduled events in LUCCWA are suspended for now. Even within Nigeria, people are afraid to travel to different parts so as not to contract the virus.”

The Lutheran Communion in Central and East Africa (LUCCEA), at its assembly meeting in Nairobi from August 17-23, held a special prayer session for the Lutheran Church in Liberia, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sierra Leone, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guinea, the Lutheran Church in Nigeria and the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria.