【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2014 年 09 月 11 日利比里亞蒙羅維亞訊】 ─ 慈幼會「鮑思高青年中心」負責人Nicola Ciarapica神父，向慈幼通訊社匯報蒙羅維亞Matadi地區疫情的最新情況，當地伊波拉疫症受害者，繼續生活在恐懼、冷漠、猜疑與貧困中。

首先，我感謝上主俯聽了人們的祈禱，護佑我們至今未受感染。在我們祈禱及請求他人代禱的眾多意向中，其中之一就是祈求我們的信德不至動搖，使我們信賴上主時常在我們身旁，即使有時會聽到一些有關我們服務地區附近新增疫症的消息，但祂慈父的手仍護佑著我們。

不幸地，伊波拉繼續在這裡肆虐，每天仍不斷有新的疫症個案出現，這突顯了防疫設施似乎未能應付所需。當地情況混亂，人民終日活在惶恐中。他們不只害怕受到感染，更害怕一旦有家人受感染，整個家庭需被隔離，或要遷徙到指定的防疫區。因此他們把病害者的屍體收藏起來，沒有向當局通報，使他們的情況不被發現，不至於遷徙他方。這或會令疫情加劇。

這份恐懼使人們對私營診所，以至已重開大型醫院的醫療服務失去信心。他們即使患上瘧疾、傷寒或咳嗽，也每每懼怕去求醫……因這些病致命的人不少啊！在我們Matadi地區，百分之七十的人口，必須每天工作才能糊口（他們當中有的在路旁攤檔販賣，有的是的士司機、工人，或是無業人士）。只有三成人口居住在混凝土樓房中。他們一日三餐的花費已經不多，更遑論購買樓房，以及要求一個衞生安全的環境。

隨著更多較成熟而且做足準備工夫的策勵者加入協助，我們繼續服務當地人民：傳遞正確資訊、分送衛生物品、與醫療機構合作，尤其協助那些三餐不繼的家庭。

值得高興的是，世界衞生組織(WHO)已於8月28日，建議籌款成立新計劃，冀能在六至九個月內，紓緩伊波拉疫情，徹底根除出血熱症，並制止疫症蔓延其他國家。這些都值得作為我們祈禱的意向。

Ebola: the situation in Matadi

 (ANS - Liberia –Monrovia, 11 September 2014) – The director of the Salesian "Don Bosco Youth Centre," Fr Nicola Ciarapica, sent to ANS an update on the situation in the district of Matadi, in Monrovia, where the Ebola virus continues to claim victims in the midst of fear, indifference, mistrust and poverty.

First of all, I thank the Lord who hears the prayers of so many and who has protected us from the contagion until now. Among other intentions we pray for and ask for prayers, is that our faith may not be shaken, so that we continue to believe that the Lord is on our side and that we are in His fatherly arms even if sometimes the news talks of cases of infection occurring nearer to our mission.

Unfortunately, here, the Ebola virus continues to make victims and every day there are still new cases being enlisted to a point that the structures do not seem to be sufficient enough. The situation is somewhat confusing and the people are afraid. They are afraid not only the infection, but if a family member was infected, they are also afraid to be isolated or be brought to the places assigned for the sick; thus they hide the corpses without reporting them so that they have the occasion not to be discovered nor moved to other places. Often this spreads the infection.

This fear has caused a loss of confidence in the health service of private clinics and even in the large hospitals that were reopened. Often they are afraid to seek treatment for malaria, typhoid fever or a cough ... so many die because of these diseases!  In our district of Matadi, 70% of the population subsist by their daily work (there are vendors selling in roadside stands, taxi drivers, workers, the unemployed ...). Only 30% have a house built with concrete blocks. They have little money to eat, less for a house, and even still less for a hygienic safe environment.

With the help of more mature and prepared animators, we continue our service of information to the people, distribution of hygiene supplies, collaboration with medical organizations and especially our help to families who are struggling financially.

A good news is that, last August 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) had proposed and sought funding for a project to reduce within 6-9 months the infection of the Ebola virus, eradicate  haemorrhagic fever and prevent the spread of virus to other countries. They are all good reasons to remember this in our prayer intentions.