Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne says Ontario will contribute $3 million to support the emergency response to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa.
A total of $2 million will go to the Red Cross and $1 million to Doctors Without Borders.
Wynne said the money is intended to help the organizations’ efforts to treat patients in affected countries, train staff, raise awareness and prevent further transmission.
“The threat is low here [in Ontario] but we know what a deep crisis it is for the people of West Africa,†said Wynne. “To bring it under control takes a massive effort. It takes a collective effort.â€
The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa has already claimed more than 4,700 lives.
Stephen Cornish, Doctors Without Borders’? executive director, said the Ebola virus has caused the collapse of the health-care systems in the West African countries worst affected by the outbreak.
He pointed out however that the news is not all bleak. He said nearly 1,000 patients in Africa have been cured of Ebola and he pointed to news that Senegal and Nigeria are now Ebola-free.
“Ebola doesn’t have to be a death sentence,†he said.
Ont Premier @Kathleen_Wynne Health Min @DrEricHoskins pledge $2M to Red Cross $1M to Médecins Sans Frontières for #Ebola in WAfrica #sl
— Mike Crawley (@CBCQueensPark) October 20, 2014
Stephen Cornish, exec director of Médecins Sand Frontières Canada, says 12 Canadians now working w MSF on Ebola in West Africa. #cbcTO
— Mike Crawley (@CBCQueensPark) October 20, 2014
CBC News is dedicating a special day of coverage to the Ebola crisis on Tuesday. On radio, television and online, we’ll explore the facts behind Ebola and answer questions. Be part of the conversation Tuesday by using #ebolafacts on social media or by joining our live chat on CBCNews.ca starting at 8 p.m. ET.