British aid supplies arrive in Freetown to tackle Ebola outbreak

6 Oct 2014 03:54 PM

 Two flights containing ambulances, tents, incinerators and further UK aid to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone arrived this weekend. 

Two flights containing ambulances, tents and further UK aid to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone arrived in Freetown this weekend, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has confirmed.

The flights delivered equipment to assist with the construction and operation of the UK’s 92 bed treatment facility, including generators, air conditioning units and lighting sets.

A team of British military personnel - including logisticians, planners and engineers - are currently on the ground to oversee the construction of the UK’s facility near Freetown.

The ambulances and minibuses will be used to move blood samples and patients from local communities to the treatment centre. The ambulances have been fitted with special bulkheads to separate patients from the drivers to minimise the risk of infection.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said:

These vital supplies will ensure that our treatment facility can be set up as soon as possible. Construction of our treatment centre is now well underway and the first phase will be operational soon. Britain’s treatment centre will provide a lifeline of care to Ebola patients in Sierra Leone.

See images of aid arriving

Two flights have delivered:

4 minibuses; 2 ambulances; 3 incinerators for disposing of clothing and other materials; 12 generators; lighting sets; latrine slabs; temporary warehouse tents; a fuel bowser; air conditioning units; 6 water tanks and 3 4x4 vehicles.

Further aid supplies will be deployed from the Department for International Development’s emergency warehouse in Kemble, Gloucestershire. The equipment, including personal protection equipment for health workers, will be flown to Freetown to assist with the construction of the UK’s medical facility.

Find out more about the UK response to the Ebola crisis

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