Courtney McGrailMore cooperation is needed between the international community and faith leaders in stemming the ongoing Ebola epidemic, said a joint communique issued by the United Nations and the World Council of Churches.
“It is important to share information at all levels, but much more important to intensify our direct efforts, especially at community levels,” said Msgr. Robert Vitillo, who represents Caritas Internationalis at the UN agencies in Geneva.
“This is where the urgent need can be found.”
More than 20 organisations participated in a daylong consultation at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on fighting Ebola. Among the participants was Caritas Internationalis, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the International Organization for Migration and the Lutheran World Federation.
In a video message to the consultation, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury stressed the “absolutely crucial” contribution of Churches and other faith communities in responding to the health crisis, said the communique.
Dr David Nabarro, the UN secretary general’s special envoy on Ebola, told the consultation that “faith groups are absolutely key to the Ebola response because they have access to the communities”.