Rhode Islanders aren’t wasting time to respond to an appeal to raise money for food supplies in the Ebola-stricken country of Liberia in West Africa. Within hours of the announcement, donations began rolling in to the Rhode Island State Council of Churches (RISCC) from throughout the state.  

“I’m very excited. Not long after we sent out our initial informational email, we’ve already received a $1,000 anonymous donation,” said Reverend Dr. Don Anderson, the RISCC’s executive minister, by phone on Friday. “With such a contribution, we’ll probably be able to start dispersing food next week.” 

Ebola is categorized by the World Health Organization as a severe hemorrhagic fever virus that is often fatal when contracted. The virus spreads via human-to-human exchange of infected bodily fluids. After an incubation period of two to 21 days, Ebola causes fever, muscle pain, headache and sore throat may be soon followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and in some cases both internal and external bleeding. 

The current outbreak in West Africa is the largest and most complex outbreak since Ebola was first discovered in 1976. The fatality rate of the virus is around 50 percent, however those rates have varied from 25 percent to 90 percent in past outbreaks.

The RISCC, a council which plays a role throughout Rhode Island by assisting with disaster relief, advocating for vulnerable citizens, and providing leadership, looks to aid those in their extended religious community.

“Rhode Island has one of the largest Liberian populations in the country, and we’ve contacted a number of local Liberian churches,” said Dr. Anderson. “As a result, we know that systems there have broken down, and there are many people who just don’t have food, even for those that don’t have Ebola.”

While other societal and governmental systems in West Africa are no longer fully functional, church congregations are still in place and connected to their communities.

“According to a report by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), unless there is a drastic improvement in additional help going to West Africa, we could see by January of 2015 nearly 1.4 million cases of Ebola, with over 700,000 deaths,” said Dr. Anderson. “The problem is currently doubling itself every 20 days, so it’s a very scary time.”

As donations are received by the Council, they will be immediately sent to the Generations for Christ Mission Church in Sinkor, Liberia.

“We know there are other efforts being made to assist the situation, and we felt that we could make a very simple, boots on the ground kind of contact,” said Dr. Anderson. “One of our pastors has a direct contact with a church outside of Monrovia, and we’re encouraging our congregations to collect a special offering on the first three Sundays of October.”

The donations for the African congregation will be used to purchase basic foodstuffs such as rice and beans in quantity. The hope is enough funds will be raised to assist communities outside Monrovia as well. All of the collected proceeds will go directly to the cause. 

The church recognizes that this is currently a limited effort, and they’ll only be able to help a small portion of the population. The RISCC hopes to make a dent in the virus’ effects, which are fast becoming a global concern.

“There are people there starving, and these efforts will stop some suffering,” said Dr. Anderson. “Our hope is that this situation will turn around and this crisis will diminish. Until then, we’re going to do anything we can to help alleviate suffering.”

To make a contribution, donation checks may be made out to the RISCC with a notation for the Ebola Fund and mailed to RISCC, 100 Niantic Avenue, Suite 101, Providence, RI 02907.