Newsletter ISSUE # 14 for Media Internews

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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia Welcome to the Internews Newsletter for media in Liberia. This newsletter is created with the intent to support the work of local media in reporting about Ebola and Ebola-related issues in Liberia. Internews welcomes feedback, comments and suggestions from all media receiving this newsletter and invites them to forward, share and re-post this newsletter as widely as possible.

Ebola orphans

At least 11,000 children have been orphaned in the Psychological first aid for children: Ebola outbreak across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone (data from UNICEF, 2015). Many children have lost a A big challenge for the Ministry is to provide enough parent, parents of caregivers to the Ebola virus and social workers to visit the children. Liberia does not currently find themselves entrusted to the Government have enough qualified social workers in the counties to of Liberia, relatives or foster families. Many of these respond to the psychosocial need of children in the ‘Ebola orphans’ suffer from psychological stress and county. To support the Ministry, communities, teachers find themselves in an extremely vulnerable situation. and parents can also engage in simple psychosocial The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, support strategies. in collaboration with UNICEF and Save the Children You do not need to be a professional to engage in have been tasked by the president to support children simple psychosocial first aid activities with children. that have lost a parent, parents or primary caregivers Internews encourages parents, teachers and other during the Ebola outbreak. But what is actually being caregivers to help Ebola orphans and other vulnerable done by the Liberian government and partners for children by conducting simple psychosocial first aid children that find themselves orphaned because of the support activities with them. Ebola virus? What is Psychosocial First Aid? The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with UNICEF and Save the Children is Psychological First Aid (PFA) is a humane, supportive responsible to help arrange foster care for children who response to someone who is suffering and may need were affected by the Ebola outbreak. Families that support. voluntarily take Ebola orphans in foster care are provided with a one-time payment of $150 USD to Parents, teachers, family members and any other Liberian can provide support to children, by: supplement the cost for feeding and care. Additionally, Talking to children to help understand what they the children benefit from visits of social workers who need conduct psychosocial support activities with them. The helping children to get access to basic needs such social workers benefit from a program run by Save the as food and water, medical help and information; Children and UNICEF – through which the two listening to children, but not pressuring them to organizations offer monetary incentives and train the talk; social workers. comforting children and helping them to feel calm; The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection protecting children from further harm. uses the following four categories to identify which children (and their families) will get support: children that have lost a caregiver, children that have lost a parent, children that have lost two parents and children that have survived Ebola themselves.

Internews “Information Saves Lives” is a six-month project implemented under the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (Hc3) project and funded by USAID. The project aims at building the capacity of Liberian journalists to report accurately on the Ebola disease and on the impact of the crisis on the local population. For more information contact: Tapang Ivo Tanku, Health Communication Liaison Officer – 0770461348

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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

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Step 1: How do you see that a child needs help? Ø If passing time with children, try to involve them in play activities or simple conversation Young children may behave in a way that is not about their interests, according to their age common for their age (for example, bedwetting or and to the safety regulations for Ebola. thumb-sucking even though the child stopped doing that for long) http://uni.cf/1vuF7ia Children might cling to their caregivers more than Sources: before, and stop playing. About Psychosocial First Aid (Source – WHO) School-age children may believe they caused bad things to happen, develop new fears, become less http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/131682/1/9 affectionate, and feel alone. 789241548847_eng.pdf

Adolescents may feel “nothing”, feel different or isolated from their friends, or start showing ‘risky For Ebola Survivors (Source – CDC) behavior’. http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/flipbook-survivedebola.pdf Step 2: How can you help a child? About the Ebola orphans in West-Africa (Source – Babies: UNICEF) http://www.unicefusa.org/stories/ebola-orphans- Keep the child warm and safe west-africas-abandoned-children/19831 Keep away from loud noises and chaos Media contacts Keep a regular feeding and sleeping schedule

Speak in a calm and soft voice Save the Children Liberia

Gradiah Walker, Advocacy and Policy Manager Older children: Phone: 0886 556 290 [email protected] Give them extra time and attention.

Tell the children that he or she is safe. Playing to Live Talk to them, tell them that they are not to blame for bad things that have happened. Jessi Hanson, Program Manager Keep to regular routines and schedules as much as Email: [email protected] possible, or make new ones. Playing to Live is running a pilot program in Liberia for Give simple answers about what has happened children orphaned by the disease, hoping to aid their without scary details. recovery with art therapy and play. See more about Allow them to stay close to you if they are fearful. their work on: http://www.playingtolive.org/ Provide a chance to play and relax, if possible. Ministry of Gender Remember to Listen, Talk and Play with children. Victoria Zaway, Children Protection Lead +231777585469 Ø Be calm, talk softly and be kind. Ø Listen to children’s views on their situation. UNICEF Liberia Ø Try to talk with them at their eye level (e.g. sit Alvina Lim, Communications Specialist or kneel on the floor), and use words and Phone: 0770267938 explanations they can understand. [email protected] Ø Find out their name, where they are from, and any information you can in order to help find their caregivers and other family members.

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'Ebola laws': enforced or redundant? On the 20th of November 2015, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice officially that the law is still in place and that the Ministry of signed the Anti-Ebola regulation (MOHSW/R- Justice is responsible for law enforcement. 001/2014). This regulation forbade Liberians to act in any way that threatened or endangered Liberia’s What has changed since Liberia is Ebola-free? public health. The regulation was requested by the president and signed by then Minister of Health, Dr. Section 2 of the regulation states that ‘ until the Walter Gwenigale, Acting Minister of Justice and Government of Liberia (GOL) declares that Liberia is Attorney General Ccl. Benedict F. Sannoh, and Madam EVD free, any and all deaths occurring in household or President. communities shall be reported to the local health authorities, head of family, and household or On the 9th of May, Liberia was officially declared Ebola- community leaders for onward reporting to healthcare free by her government and international partners. So facilities or authorities. Because Liberia is officially what has become of the ‘Ebola laws’? Are they still in Ebola-free, it is no longer necessary of communities place, or can Liberians go back to ‘their old ways’? and household to report deaths.

The Anti-Ebola regulation (known at the Ministry of Prevention is better than cure Health and Justice under the name: MOHSW/R- th 001/2014), dictates: At a press conference, held on the 18 of June 2015 at Redemption Hospital in Monrovia, Minister Tolbert · That all Liberians who are hiding a sick Nyenswah shared an interesting case study with the family member will be able to be fined assembled press. Last Saturday, a suspected Ebola case or prosecuted; from Guinea was brought to the ETU in Bong County. · That Liberians are not to practice The woman was bleeding from her eyes and had traditional rituals on an death body recently arrived in Liberia from Guinea. The next day before the body has been tested for her test came back – negative. However, the example Ebola; shows the importance of correct border surveillance · That all symptomatic patients need to be isolated in a healthcare facility; and the fact that Liberia should remain vigilant. With · That owners of public buildings, the borders open it is important to keep in mind that residence and commercial facilities people can travel from Ebola-affected areas to Liberia. (video clubs, bars, restaurants etc.) Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are much are obliged to place an bucket with interconnected because ohttp://bit.ly/1M6E7FTf trade relationships. Cross- chlorinated or soapy water and check border trade causes many travelers to travel back and the temperature of visitors; forth between the countries. · That transport rules regarding seating in taxi’s as dictated by the Ministry of To better explain the threat that the Ebola outbreak in Transport are to be respected; the neighboring countries is posing to Liberia, it is very important tohttp://bit.ly/1LZXDmU take into account up-to-date numbers · That public gatherings, public rallies and trends from Guinea and http://bit.ly/1K6z2OZSierra Leone. The and demonstrations (outside of following maps and tables will give you a better idea electoral gatherings) are prohibited. about the intensity of the outbreak in the West-African If the above rules are broken, a citizen can be held region. liable to a finhttp://bit.ly/1LBwPd9e or imprisonment under the Public Health Law. The Ministry of Information has indicated

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

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On the map that is depicted above we can see the The table below shows how many cases have been intensity of the outbreak in the West African region on confirmed, identified probable or suspected in Guinea, the 10th of June 2015 (data collected by the WHO). The Liberia, and Sierra Leone on the 10th of June 2015 (data map show the West African region that is affected by collected by the WHO). With this table we can see that the Ebola virus. Thhttp://bit.ly/1dbFSFCe orange dots on the map indicate in Liberia, 4806 people have died of the Ebola caes, but http://bit.ly/1LZYnIIthe number of cases (confirmed) in the county. As you there have not been any cases over the last 21 days. In can see, the intensity of the outbreak is biggest on the Guinea, 2437 have died of the virus and there have border area with Sierra Leone and Guinea in the West been 38 identified cases over the last 21 days. Sierra of the region. Leone has identified 30 cases in the last 21 days, and http://bit.ly/1dbFSFC 3915 people have died from the virus in that country.

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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

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Sources Media contacts:

Ebola situation report, 10th June 2015 Ministry of Justice http://apps.who.int/ebola/en/current-situation/ebola- Dir. Maud Summo, Press and Public Affairs situation-report-1http://bit.ly/1dbFSFC0-june-2015 Phone: 0880351077/0770133197 http://bit.ly/1LZYnII Ebola regulation: Ministry of Health & Ministry of Ministry of Information Justice: Christopher K. Seeton Sr., Director Press and Public http://ebolacommunicationnetwork.org/ebolacomres Affairs ourchttp://bit.ly/1dbFSFCe/liberia-the-anti-ebola-regulation/ Phone: 0770591284 [email protected]

'Ebola laws': enforced or redundant?

th th On the 30 of June 2http://bit.ly/1dbFSFC015, River Cess County will Liberian security authorities in numbers (date: 15 of officially salute the soldiers, police and other law April 2015): nd e nforcing agents of UNMIL goodbye. On the 2 of April 2015, the Security Council of the United Nations has v Armed Forces of Liberia g iven UNMIL leadership permission to enter the 3rd o 1835 army personnel phase of the drawdown of UNMIL presence in Liberia. o Mainly stationed in Montserrado T his means that the UNMIL presence will significantly County decrease over the next months. According to the latest v National Bureau of Investigation i nformation (resolution 2190 (2014), UNMIL will stay in o 135 people Liberia until the 30th of September 2015. What does v Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization th is actually mean for Liberia and what are the plans of o 2097 BIN officers the Liberian government in regards to the security of v Liberia National Police: th e country? o 4905 personnel o 77.3% of the LNP officers are U NMIL security authorities in numbers (date: 15th of stationed in Montserrado County April 2015):

Initially, the withdrawal of UNMIL was paused because v UN Police of the Ebola outbreak, but finally the Security Council

o 1466 personnel, whereof 498 police, has decided that UNMIL should scale down. By immigration and correction advisors September 2015, UNMIL should only have 3590 and formed police units. military personnel on the ground. UNMIL will withdraw o Stationed in Monrovia, Gbarnga, 1,221 military personnel, including the force quick Greenville, Voinjama, Tubmanburg reaction unit (650 troops), two engineering units (361 and Zwe personnel), a military hospital (60 personnel), v UNMIL military transport elements (50 personnel), and aviation o 4415 military personnel elements (43 personnel). Additionally, UNMIL will o Stationed mainly in the border areas, bring down its own police unit, referred to as UNPOL, also presence in Montserrado. to 1515 personnel.

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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

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Reaction: plan of the Government of Liberia · Wash your hands at every checkpoint · Have your temperature checked at every Since on 20 February, the President announced that the checkpoint main border crossing points in Liberia would be reopened · If you or another traveler is sick: please identify – and many Liberians fear that the country will become re- the nearest community leader or health infected with the Ebola virus. The Liberian government http://bit.ly/1dbFSFC authority. They will refer you to the nearest clinic http://bit.ly/1LZYnIIhas a set out a plan to address the challenges related to or hospital. the withdrawal of the U.N. Mission in Liberia in June 2016. · Don’t wait – remember early treatment helps With the UN withdrawing and scaling back on the amount people to survive. Remember the signs and of security personnel, the Liberian government has symptoms of the Ebola Virus recoghttp://bit.ly/1dbFSFCnized the need to take full responsibility of state security. The Ebola crisis demonstrated the risks Sources associated with porous borders and poorly manned border crossing points. Post UNMIL plan focuses on human security (Source – MICAT): In February, the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization http://www.micatliberia.com/index.php/blog/linabull (BIN), supported by UNMIL and UNDP, conducted a self- assessment exercise to evaluate its capacity to take over etin/3524-post-unmil-plan-focuses-on-humansecurity- sannoh.html security by mid-2016. Thhttp://bit.ly/1dbFSFCe UN identifies that there is a significant mismatch between the existing capacity of the GoL plan for UNMIL transition (source – MICAT): Bureau and its mandated tasks, which calls for increased support and attention. The exercise identified the need for http://www.micatliberia.com/index.php/government - an improvement in salaries, training and conditions of of-liberia/3290-gol-plan-for-unmil-transition- personnel. apresentation-by-min-sannoh.html

To help meet this goal, the former UNMIL camp in Foya, Security Council Reports Liberia (Source – UN): Lofa County, was turned into a Bureau of Immigration and http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/undocuments/li Naturalization training facility in February. Meanwhile, beria/ UNMIL completed a quick-impact project to build four http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65B classrooms at the site. Efforts to professionalize the FCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3CF6E4FF96 FCF9B-6D274E9C- Bureau continued, with an additional project aiming at FF9%7D/S_2015_275.pdf enhancing the managerial and administrative skills of 40 senior and mid-level managers. Contacts

BIN has begun three months of training for 250 officers as UNMIL part of its strategic plan that runs parallel to UNMILs draw Russel Geekie, Spokesperson/Chief of Public Information down. Phone: 0770318145/0770315200 [email protected] KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY, FAMILY AND LIBERIA SAFE: Seble Worku

Public Information Officer With the Ebola outbreak still in Sierra Leone and Guinea, Phone: 0770319157 it is important to keep on ensuring safety at border [email protected] crossings. Some tips as formulated by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and other partners: Weah Karpeh · When you are leaving one area to go to another, Public Information Officer whether you pass by the bush, road, canoe, or Phone: 0770319148 the official checkpoint [email protected] · Make sure you are well in the body when travelling

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SCHOOL CLOSURE

Locals in Lofa are suggesting if the government decides to close Citizens of Sinoe County are concerned about the fate of children that the schools in June, students should be promoted to the next class. missed the Measles vaccination campaign in the county. They are According to the locals, government should back pay all the school wondering in which clinics those children can still be vaccinated. fees to the children. Sinoe Lofa Residents of Maryland County have been hearing rumors that Citizens are concerned that the Ministry of Education will schools will be closing by the end of June, only to reopen on close the schools for the month of August. In Montserrado September. Marylanders are worried that the government will County, residents would like to know why the government not refund the school fees they paid in early March. is considering school closure when they've only opened Maryland the schools in March. Parents are concerned about the school fees they paid to register their children. Will they EBOLA SURVIVORS get the money back if the schools close in August? Montserrado Ebola survivors that go to the BWI vocational institute and the John Joseph High school report that they have been thrown out of school because they did not paid their tuition Students of Grand Bassa County are reluctant to go back to school due to They call upon the government to help them. rumors about the school closure in August. Parents and other residents Margibi of Grand Bassa County are mainly worried about the tuition fees they paid to the school administration at the beginning of the school year. MOSQUITO NETS Grand Bassa The Sinoe County Health Team has begun giving awareness on the use of Mosquito nets. They hope to Students in Bong County are happy that the government is debating whether to close schools encourage locals to stop using the nets as scrubs and in June 2015. The students want to use this free time to work and earn extra money. In general, fishing nets. however, residents of Bong County would like to know why the schools are closing. Sinoe Bong http://bit.ly1ABN0AiInternews “Information Saves Lives” is a six-month project implemented under the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (Hc3) project and funded by USAID. The project aims at building the capacity of Liberian journalists to report accurately on the Ebola disease and on the impact of the crisis on the local population. For more information contact: Tapang Ivo Tanku, Health Communication Liaison Officer – 0770461348 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/ Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

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BORDER SURVEILLANCE POST-EBOLA RECOVERY

In Grand Cape Mount County, residents are worried about In Nimba County, residents report that Global Communities and border surveillance. They would like to know what the Chess have been giving out food and cash to households as part Liberian government is doing to ensure that Ebola patients of their post-Ebola recovery program. The organizations, from Guinea and Sierra Leone will not enter the country. according to the locals, also intend to build pumps and pit Grand Cape Mount County latrines. However, their current awareness-raising activities continue to be around the topic of personal hygiene. The County Health Officer in Nimba County advises organizations Residents of the county are concerned over the decision of that are distributing medical and non-medial materials to Ebola the President to reopen the borders with Sierra Leone and survivors, to channel all donations via the County Health Team. Guinea. River Cess Nimba

SAFE BURIALS SURVIVORS

In Forpoh Partuken district in Grand Kru County, Ebola The Iman Council of Liberia has organized a retreat survivors express disappointment with the Government in Tubmanburg to encourage Muslims to continue to and partners working in the county. They state that they follow the safe burial protocols that were put in place have not been included in post-Ebola recovery plans of by the Government of Liberia. government or partners. YES Inc. has been conducting awareness raising activities in Bomi County. They hope to encourage Grand Kru locals to keep on taking the Ebola preventive measures. Bomi

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HEALTHCARE RESTORATION

Citizens of River Cess County report that Last Mile Health has started distributing drugs and other preventive Residents of Zorzor district report that the ETU has been materials to Timbo Compound Clinic in Timbo district. demolished. The drugs and generator have been transferred to the Curran Lutheran Hospital. River Cess Citizens in Lofa County wonder why the government closed down the only Ebola Treatment Unit that is located close to the border with Guinea. They would also like to know why the ETU was not turned into a health facility. The County Superintendent has started to connect the Lofa roads to the Barkolleh Health Center as part of their post- Ebola recovery plan.

Residents of Dolo's Town would like to see the Community Care Center in their town transformed into a clinic or hospital. They advise the government not to demolish the building. Margibi

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

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SCHOOL CLOSURE Rumors from local people Well-sourced and accurate responses Montserrado County The Ministry of Education has not yet sent out any official communication Citizens in Montserrado County are indicating a school closure. At present, debates have been taking place in the concerned about the possibility of Ministry of Education to see how government and partners will go about the schools closing again. They rumor school break that normally takes place in July and August. Because of the that the GoL has decided that Ebola outbreak, schools in Liberia were closed from June 2014 until May schools will close because Ebola is 2015. This meant that children were staying at home and not receiving any back in Liberia. formal education during the Ebola outbreak. In light of the improved Ebola situation in the country, the GoL decided to reopen the schools in March Grand Bassa County & Maryland 2015. County Residents of Grand Bassa County The Senate has already rehttp://bit.ly/1GipmRvjected the proposed school closure for August and rumor that the schools will be has summoned the newly appointed Minister of Education George Werner to closed this month, and will only explain MoE’s planned policy. reopen in September. Deputy Minister Baysay (on state radio) has indicated that the MoE has been Additionally they state that the discussing the possibility of closing the schools. He stated that the closure Ministry of Education will not would be intended to enable school administrators to return to the Ministry refund the tuition that was paid in in Monrovia to discuss a way forward on improving the country’s education February/early March this year. system. However, to date, no official decision on the matter has been made. They also report that the students are more reluctant to go to school Source: http://www.micatliberia.com/index.php/blog/item/3926-house- because of these rumors. rhttp://bit.ly/1SyiemEejects-early-closure-of-school-year-summons-education-minister.html

Bong County For more information contact: Locals rumor that the government has announced that all schools will Ministry of Education: be closed, effective from June 15, Maxime Bleetah, Director of Communications 2015 Phone: 0886565264

Lofa County Residents from Lofa County are indicating that they are worried that the Government will close schools by the end of June and reopen in September, in order to be on path with other African countries.

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia CHLORINE Bomi County The spraying of chlorine during the Ebola outbreak was done to ensure Locals are concerned that the spraying that objects, people and areas were properly disinfected, to avoid the with chlorine that was done during the further spread of the Ebola virus. Ebola outbreak is causing people to experience constant sneezing in the However, it is true that if chlorine is not diluted at the safe strength it county. could cause harm to the health of human behttp://bit.ly/1Dn6Y8Kings. It is therefore very important to ensure that your community, school or household dilutes the hand washing bucket the right way.

Instructions for safely diluted chlorine solutions: Cleaning of objects and environments To http://bit.ly/1Rho0IJmix the 1:10 solution: you take one table spoon of chlorine powder (calcium hypochlorite powder or granules 70%) and mix it with two liters of water. http://bit.ly/1I4Vj02 You can use this mixture to clean soiled clothes, toilets, body fluid spills and floors and environment.

If you do not have chlorine powder you can also use Chlorax (liquid chlorine). You measure in a cup or bottle – taking one cup or one bottle to be the measuring unit. If you want to dilute the Chlorax you take 1 part of bleach and 9 parts of water to make the 1:10 solution.

W ashing hands To mix the 1:100 solution, you take 1 table spoon of chorine powder (calcium hypochlorite powder or granules 70%) and mix it with twenty liters of water.

You can use this solution to wash your bare hands and skin. If you do not have chlorine powder you can also use Chlorax. You measure by using a cup or bottle as measuring unit.

If you want to dilute the strong solution (1:10 strength solution) so you can use it to wash your hand: you take 1 part of the strong solution and then add 90 parts of water to make the 1:100 solution.

You can also make the weaker solution from scratch by diluting 1 part of bleach and 90 parts of water to make the 1:100 solution.

For more information about chlorine: http://1.usa.gov/1d7zMWzhttp://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/chlorine/basics/facts.asp

Contact: CDC Yolonda Freeman, Communications Specialist Phone: 0775090926 [email protected]

UNICEF Liberia Alvina Lim, Communications Specialist Phone: 0770267938 [email protected]

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia STIGMATIZATION Grand Kru County This is not a rumor, the Ebola virus has been hard for all of us and it is important Residents of Grand Kru County have not to stigmatize health workers. http://bit.ly/1scTMvp indicated that health workers who used to work in the Ebola Treatment Unit in Here are some key messages as formulated by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and Sinoe are being stigmatized by the WHO on how to avoid stigmatizations – which you can share with your audiences: community dwellers. · It is important that we all help each other. Welcome survivors and anyone whose lives have been touched by Ebola back into the home and the community. Encourage and help them to participate in community activities. · Health care workers, burial teams, social workers, mobilizers, and contact tracers are working hard to end Ebola in Liberia. Welcome them and allow them to do their work. · We can help survivors and others touched by Ebola when we tell others the truth about how Ebola is spread and how to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.

For more information about how to avoid stigmatization of Ebola Health Workers contact:

The Carter Center Dr. Janice Cooper, Country Lead for the Mental Health Initiative Phone: 0888826931 NEW CASES Montserrado County There are no new lab confirmed cases of Ebola in Liberia, according to the Centers Locals reported the death of two Ebola for Disease Control and Prevention (commonly referred to as the ‘CDC’). patients on the S.D. Cooper Road in It is important to keep in mind that just because people are admitted to an Ebola Monrovia. Treatment Unit, does not necessarily mean that they have Ebola, or that Ebola is back in Liberia. Additionally, residents in Monrovia have reported that there are new Ebola cases Case definitions: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/healthcare-us/evaluating- in Redemption hospital. phttp://1.usa.gov/1wwr9hBatients/case-definition.html

Nimba County Currently, there are 3 submitted patients at the Ganta Ebola Treatment Unit. These Citizens of Nimba County are concerned patients are currently classified as “suspected cases”, which means that they have a because six new patients have been fever and one of the other symptoms (coughing, red eyes, muscles pain, diarrhea admitted to the Ebola Treatment Unit in etc.). The patients are classified as ‘person under investigation’ and will be tested Ghanta. for the Ebola virus.

For more information, or updates on these cases, you can contact:

Ministry of Health Doctor Piye Gbanmie – Medical Doctor at the Ganta ETU Phone: 0888087370

CDC Yolonda Freeman, Communications Specialist Phone: 0775090926 [email protected]

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN THE GEOPOLL SURVEY Information Needs Analysis

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM COUNTIES

BOMI COUNTY What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? What are the current updates on Ebola? What are the current updates on Ebola?

BONG COUNTY NIMBA COUNTY What is the future of Ebola? Is Ebola a real disease? What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? What is the origin of Ebola? What are the current updates on Ebola? GRAND BASSA COUNTY What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? Is Ebola a real disease? What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? RIVER GEE What is the origin of Ebola? What measures could be put in place to end Ebola?

GRAND CAPE MOUNT SINOE What is the origin of Ebola? What is the origin of Ebola?

GRAND GEDEH COUNTY What is the origin of Ebola?

LOFA COUNTY Is Ebola a real disease? What is the origin of Ebola? What are the current updates on Ebola?

MARGIBI COUNTY What are the stakes of the Ebola vaccine? What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? What are the current updates on Ebola?

MONTSERRADO COUNTY What are the stakes of the Ebola vaccine? Is Ebola a real disease? http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #14 - June 13-19

/internewsliberia http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt Media contacts Save the Children Liberia CDC Gradiah Walker, Advocacy and Policy Manager Yolonda Freeman, Communications Specialist Phone: 0886 556 290 Phone: 0775090926 [email protected] [email protected]

The Carter Center Ministry of Gender Dr. Janice Cooper, Victoria Zaway, Children Protection Lead Country Lead for the Mental Health Initiative +231777585469 Phone: 0888826931

UNICEF Liberia UNICEF Liberia Alvina Lim, Communications Specialist Alvina Lim, Communications Specialist Phone: 0770267938 Phone: 0770267938 [email protected] [email protected]

Ministry of Justice Ministry of Education: Dir. Maud Summo, Press and Public Affairs Maxime Bleetah, Director of Communications Phone: 0880351077/0770133197 Phone: 0886565264

Ministry of Information Christopher K. Seeton Sr., Director Press and Public Affairs Phone: 0770591284 [email protected]

UNMIL Russel Geekie, Spokesperson/Chief of Public Information Phone: 0770318145/0770315200 [email protected]

Seble Worku Public Information Officer Phone: 0770319157 [email protected]

Weah Karpeh Public Information Officer Phone: 0770319148 [email protected]

Ministry of Health Doctor Piye Gbanmie – Medical Doctor at the Ganta ETU Phone: 0888087370

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Resources for the media

About Psychosocial First Aid (Source – WHO): http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/131682/1/ 9789241548847_eng.pdf

For Ebola Survivors (Source – CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/flipbook- survivedebola.pdf

About the Ebola orphans in West-Africa (Source – UNICEF): http://www.unicefusa.org/stories/ebola-orphanswest- africas-abandoned-children/19831

Ebola situation report 10 June 2015 (Source – WHO): http://apps.who.int/ebola/en/currentsituation/ebola- situation-report-10-june-2015

Ebola regulation (Source - Ministry of Health & Ministry of Justice): http://ebolacommunicationnetwork.org/ebolacomres ource/liberia-the-anti-ebola-regulation/

Post UNMIL plan focuses on human security (Source – MICAT): http://www.micatliberia.com/index.php/blog/linabulle tin/3524-post-unmil-plan-focuses-on-humansecurity- sannoh.html

GoL plan for UNMIL transition (source – MICAT): http://www.micatliberia.com/index.php/government - of-liberia/3290-gol-plan-for-unmil-transition- apresentation-by-min-sannoh.html

Security Council Reports Liberia (Source – UN): http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/undocuments/li beria/ http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65B FCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3CF6E4FF96 FCF9B-6D274E9C- FF9%7D/S_2015_275.pdf