Scottish Ebola Appeal

A fresh appeal is to be launched to help Ebola-hit west Africa as cases of the deadly virus continue to rise.

The Disasters Emergency Committee will launch its first appeal in response to a disease outbreak in 50 years in Edinburgh today.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 4, 5000 people have died from the deadly virus since the start of the year. 10, 000 people are believed to have contracted Ebola this year. It's feared the number of cases in west Africa could hit 10, 000 every week by December.

Staff say the decision to launch the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal reflects the fact this crisis is no longer simply a medical emergency; it also threatens to become a humanitarian catastrophe. The explosive spread of Ebola in West Africa is not just killing the infected, it is also ripping apart health services, devastating communities, and destroying people’s ability to support themselves.

DEC member agencies are heavily involved in responding to the Ebola crisis with the majority of their work focused on stopping the spread of the disease and providing support to those affected. Members with the relevant medical expertise are also involved in the highly specialised work of treating people with Ebola.

Television appeals will be aired by all the main UK broadcasters today but donations will be accepted by the DEC online at www.dec.org.uk and via its 24 donation hotline 0370 60 60 900.