The current Finnish actions against Ebola
Finland is taking actions against the outspread of Ebola. Finland stresses the importance of strengthening sustainable health care systems and core capacities to tackle the health treats before the outbreaks occur. One such initiative is the Global Health Security Initiative, which will be chaired by Finland in 2015.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is granting 920,000 euros via the Finnish Red Cross for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent work to curb the Ebola epidemic. Finland has previously granted a total of 780,000 euros through WHO and the Finnish Red Cross for the work against Ebola. Thus, Finland’s humanitarian aid contribution rises to a total of 1.7 million euros. The matter was decided by Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Lenita Toivakka, the acting deputy for the Development Minister, upon proposal by the Unit for Humanitarian Assistance.
The epidemic, which began in Guinea in March, has become the most extensive and the most severe throughout history. The three states most affected by the epidemic, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, face unprecedented challenges in trying to stop the spread of the disease and in caring for infected people. The countries’ own health care systems are unable to respond to the situation and there is a shortage of nursing staff.
“It is important that Finland bears its responsibility and has a strong presence in the international front to curb the Ebola epidemic and save human lives,” says Minister Toivakka.
Wide-ranging assistant from Finland
Finnish Red Cross gives support to the IFRCf Ebola Treatment Centre in Kenema, Sierra Leone and recruitment medical and other humanitarian personnel to Sierra Leone and to the IFRC operation. Finnish Church Aid has sent 2 officers tn the field. They raise awareness, provide psychosocial support and deliver sanitation materials. The Finnish Refugee Council raises awareness and Plan Finland assists that are children vulnerable to Ebola.
Finland has offered to WHO a sizeable amount of respiratory masks based on WHO request. The masks are expected to be delivered through the Dutch arrangement of cargo vessel. Finnisg Ministry of the Interior has also sent one expert to Liberia for UNDAC mission to support coordination of international assistance and is planning to send two experts from the Crisis Management Center capacity to work in technical tasks in Sierra Leone.
Finland follows closely the developments of the epidemic
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for providing general instructions on the Ebola situation in Finland. The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) follows the development of the epidemic, makes evaluations of risks, and takes part in giving instructions to the service system for health. University hospitals are prepared to care for those who may have contracted Ebola. Healthcare protocols have been updated and exercises have been held in hospital districts. The Regional State Administrative Agencies have sent instructions to private service providers of health care.
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, and transport officials are participating in the preparations. For more information, please refer to Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
For more information, please contact Minister’s special representative for the work against Ebola, ambassador Tiina Jortikka-Laitinen, tel. +358 295 351 829 or Department for Africa and the Middle East, tel. +358 295 351 647, +358 295 350 676.
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Ministry of Social Affairs and Health