It is no longer speculation and news that Ebola virus disease is real. But it is also worrisome and confusing that Ebola could cripple some countries’ economies if urgent steps are not taken. The reasons being that farmers are scared to embark on farming again. And even the crops planted are left to rot in the farms without harvesting them. For instance in Sierra Leon alone 40% farms are closed to business. And this alone is a threat to food surplus. The farmers especially those in the rural areas are afraid to go to their farms to do work. The issue is the fear of contacting Ebola. It is a major problem. And nobody wants to die as the disease spreads like wild-fire.
In Liberia and Sierra Leon the miners are out of their bases, even the foreign miners that operate the mines are also scared to mine in those countries. Indeed, with the recent report released by World Health Organizations that Ebola virus by December would contact 5,000 people each week is disgusting and heart breaking. This has also contributed to restriction of movement and state of emergency being declared in the countries worst hit. The release has aggravated the worsening situation in those countries. And worst still, the spread has gone beyond the shore of Africa. That alone has given room to global threat as no country is safe from contacting Ebola disease.
Few weeks ago some persons have been reported dead in course of Ebola in Texas in the U.S, Germany and Spain. The international community is out to set the pace to stop the spread of the Ebola virus disease. In respect to that, the U.S has mobilized about 350 soldiers and Ebola fighting gargets to Liberia. Just last week the U.S and Britain have mobilized 750 soldiers and facilities to Sierra Leon to fight Ebola. In the face of this, World Health Organizations is poised to fight hard in order to win the battle over Ebola virus disease. Indeed, Ebola virus disease that hit Liberia, Sierra Leon and Guinea today is a global problem.
The threat of food shortage as a result of Ebola virus disease is a thing everybody should stand to fight against. It is pertinent to know that poor hygiene and poverty immensely lead to the rapid spread of the disease. Therefore food shortage should not be allowed to play out in this period of Ebola threat. This is not the time to cause aspersions; this is the time to combat Ebola in West African. Nigeria was able to surmount and eradicate Ebola for the time being.
But so far as Ebola lingers its existence in Liberia, Sierra Leon and Guinea, the game of total victory is not over yet. That is why team work by African countries is necessary. The report centre in Ghana on Ebola, is a good omen tosubdue the newest and deadliest disease in the world. If the Ebola spread is not brought under control, the food shortage shall show it impact on the people. Which will lead to famine that will cause death.
Indeed, it was observed that there was slow response by the international community to combat Ebola in West Africa. And that slow response has given room to massive spread of the virus. Indeed, it was worthy to note that because of fear of Ebola virus disease, some markets at worst hit regions have been closed down. Traders and famers have abandoned their sheds and farms, for those who are safe do not want to die of Ebola disease. And that alone is a major threat to life. Liberia, Sierra Leon and Guinea need serious humanitarian support across the globe to fight the menace.
The Western countries have decided to embark on screening of any citizen from West Africa who visits their country. This decision was seen as a measure to control the rapid spread of the disease. Few days ago, during the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, the players of National team of sierra Leon were treated with levity because of Ebola epidemic ravaging their country. This calls for serious concern to fight Ebola, to avoid West African being treated like inferior citizens. Ebola kills; therefore, let the world leaders come and proffer solutions to solve Ebola equation.
All hands must be on deck to dymystify Ebola virus disease resilient. United Nations and World Bank should sit and find funds to fight Ebola in West Africa. Food shortage should not be allowed to emerge in this time of Ebola threat. Therefore, emergency should be declared by the United Nations on Ebola in West African to stop the spread of the disease and to avoid food shortage. A stitch saves nine. ###
FRANK ENEAWAJI OGWUONUONU
08028901682
