In Sierra Leone, people are dying in their homes and in the streets, because of Ebola, while hospitals either refuse to take patients or have shut down as the nurses and doctors have died. The health service has completely broken down and people are largely left to manage on their own with little knowledge and few means. In partnership with the Sierra Leone Central Union The Netherlands (SLCU), the Sierra Leone Embassy in Brussels and GIZ, WakaWakas have been distributed to 32 local community based organizations, as a contribution in the fight against the Ebola epidemic. Target groups include campaign teams, Ebola prevention teams, burial teams and health clinics.
The WakaWakas help to treat Ebola victims after sunset and allow citizens to better protect themselves from getting infected. After the Ebola crisis has been contained, the WakaWakas will still be useful. It contributes to socio-economic development and is a clean, safe and sustainable alternative for the toxic kerosene lights.