Gabon joins the “Africa United” campaign to stop spread of Ebola
Last Monday in Libreville, the African Union Head of the Economic Commission of the States for Central Africa (ECCAS), Hortense Nguema Okome, launched a campaign to raise funds from Gabon mobile phone operators Airtel, Libertis, Moov and Azur as Gabon participation in the “Africa United” campaign to stop spread of Ebola.
The 3 months campaign called “Africa against Ebola” consists in urging mobile phone subscribers to send SMS via their mobile phones with the words: "Stop Ebola" to the short number 7979 and allow the AU to collect 100 CFA Francs per text message. The fund raised through this campaign will serve to bring considerable help to the 3 most affected countries, namely: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
"This initiative is worth doing and we do encourage every single operator to do it. Togetherness is the only way to get rid of that deadly disease and save the world.” Said Hortense Nguema Okome during the press conference.
The campaign, which was launched on December 3rd, is supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation and driven creatively by actor Idris Elba, is designed to recognise the vital role of front-line healthcare workers, as well as to provide critical education and resources for the people of West Africa.