Video Interviews with a Delegation of Ebola Survivors
March 22, 2017
The worst Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak on record, from 2013 to 2015, caused devastating loss in West Africa. According to the World Health Organization, over the course of the outbreak, there were over 28,600 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola, resulting in over 11,300 deaths. There are currently over 10,000 EVD survivors. EVD survivors continue to face stigma and discrimination, and suffer ongoing physical and mental health complications.
The Ebola Transmission Prevention and Survivor Services Program (ETP&SS) operates under the umbrella of priorities set by USAID’s Global Health Ebola Team to support post-Ebola recovery efforts in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. Advancing Partners & Communities, a USAID-funded project, implements ETP&SS in the three West African countries. ETP&SS works with host governments, local and international NGOs, UN agencies, community partners, and EVD survivor associations to mitigate resurgence of the Ebola virus, and improve access for Ebola survivors to necessary health services by reducing stigma, discrimination and other barriers.
The following candid interviews tell the stories of three Sierra Leoneans who were affected by the Ebola virus. In their own words, two survivors and a ministry official share their experiences, pain, and hope for the future.
1) Daddy Hassan Kamara, Ebola Orphans Coordinator & Spokesman of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors
Daddy Hassan shares the story of losing his family to the Ebola virus during the height of the outbreak.
2) Yusuf Kabba, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors
Yusuf Kabba talks about the challenges faced by Ebola survivors and shares his vision for future.
3) Dr. Sylvia Blyden, Honorable Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs
Dr. Sylvia Blyden discusses the challenges Sierra Leone faced during the outbreak and how the government is supporting Ebola survivors’ needs.
Acknowledgements
The USAID-funded, Advancing Partners & Communities project would like to thank the Government of Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health & Sanitation and Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs for their dedication to implementing post-EVD recovery programs that consider the specific health and social needs of Ebola survivors. We would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Sylvia Blyden, Honorable Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs; Mr. Yusuf Kabba, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES); and Mr. Daddy Hassan Kamara, Ebola Orphans Coordinator & Spokesman of SLAES for sharing their personal stories. Together, we are strengthening health and support services in response to survivor needs.
The worst Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak on record, from 2013 to 2015, caused devastating loss in West Africa. According to the World Health Organization, over the course of the outbreak, there were over 28,600 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola, resulting in over 11,300 deaths. There are currently over 10,000 EVD survivors. EVD survivors continue to face stigma and discrimination, and suffer ongoing physical and mental health complications.
The Ebola Transmission Prevention and Survivor Services Program (ETP&SS) operates under the umbrella of priorities set by USAID’s Global Health Ebola Team to support post-Ebola recovery efforts in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. Advancing Partners & Communities, a USAID-funded project, implements ETP&SS in the three West African countries. ETP&SS works with host governments, local and international NGOs, UN agencies, community partners, and EVD survivor associations to mitigate resurgence of the Ebola virus, and improve access for Ebola survivors to necessary health services by reducing stigma, discrimination and other barriers.
The following candid interviews tell the stories of three Sierra Leoneans who were affected by the Ebola virus. In their own words, two survivors and a ministry official share their experiences, pain, and hope for the future.
1) Daddy Hassan Kamara, Ebola Orphans Coordinator & Spokesman of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors
Daddy Hassan shares the story of losing his family to the Ebola virus during the height of the outbreak.
2) Yusuf Kabba, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors
Yusuf Kabba talks about the challenges faced by Ebola survivors and shares his vision for future.
3) Dr. Sylvia Blyden, Honorable Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs
Dr. Sylvia Blyden discusses the challenges Sierra Leone faced during the outbreak and how the government is supporting Ebola survivors’ needs.
Acknowledgements
The USAID-funded, Advancing Partners & Communities project would like to thank the Government of Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health & Sanitation and Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs for their dedication to implementing post-EVD recovery programs that consider the specific health and social needs of Ebola survivors. We would also like to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Sylvia Blyden, Honorable Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs; Mr. Yusuf Kabba, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES); and Mr. Daddy Hassan Kamara, Ebola Orphans Coordinator & Spokesman of SLAES for sharing their personal stories. Together, we are strengthening health and support services in response to survivor needs.