Ebola crisis still getting worse, warns head of Save the Children

An atmosphere of “fear and anxiety” pervades the region, Save the Children chief executive Justin Forsyth said on a trip to Freetown in Sierra Leone.

He said: “I think it’s still getting worse. It’s going to get even worse before we get on top of it. We are still behind the curve.

“We are in this race against time. There is enormous fear and anxiety.”

Mr Forsyth said he did not leave the country feeling “despair” and reported that there are signs that aid is making a difference, and there is “more action on the ground”.

He praised the “inspirational” efforts of staff risking their lives to help bring the crisis under control. He added: “Save the Children staff who have lost relatives and loved ones have come into work and carried on the fight against Ebola.

“The whole country is mobilising. The international staff who are coming – families back home are very worried. It is an amazingly brave and courageous thing to do. People are putting their lives on the line.”

He visited a new treatment centre in Kerry Town, which has been funded by the British Government, built by the Army and is run by Save the Children. It is expected to open next week.

Mr Forsyth said: “It is an important part of the efforts to have a number of these centres.”

On Saturday the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said it had been “overwhelmed” by the “extraordinary generosity” of the British public after £4m was donated in just two days to a campaign to help people affected by the Ebola crisis in west Africa.

The UK Government has pledged to match the first £5m given by the public and its £4m contribution brings the fund total to £8m since the campaign was launched on Thursday.

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said the charity said it had been “overwhelmed” by the “extraordinary generosity” of the British public.