Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Nov - Dec Vol. 9 No.6 | Page 6

NEWS in brief Around Africa will ensure that community members get the facts about Ebola virus. “Operation WASH Ebola Away” is expected to be launched in the 15 counties by the WASH sector in order to break the transmission of the Ebola virus.The operation is been heavily supported by Global Communities, an American based charity. Nigeria Most of the latest Ebola fatalities have come from Liberia a county hard hit by the outbreak. The ‘Operation WASH Ebola Away’ was launched in Kakata, capital of the county, with the distribution of 8,000 hygiene kits for the use of communities affected by the virus. The kit comprises two jerry cans, 12 pieces of soap, Clorox, rubber bucket with faucet, 3 bottles of water guard, 2 pairs of gloves and rubber cup.Launching the operation on behalf of the WASH sector, Deputy Public Works Minister for Administration, Jackson Paye, said the sector was gratified to extend the program to Margibi County.Deputy Minister Paye told Margibians that the launch of the operation is in conjunction with the National Task Force on Ebola. He said the sector in its strategy has decided to use a community-based approach to combat the Ebola virus. He noted that the WASH sector has been in the vanguard addressing the issue of water, sanitation and hygiene and at this crucial period of the country’s history, it is necessary for the sector to assist in the fight against Ebola. Providing an overview of the strategy, the head of the National WASH Promotion Committee, Abdul Koroma, said the approach by WASH is to reach hygiene practices to communities.Koroma noted that it is through the sector’s strategy that the idea of a Community Care Center came about.Making remarks, Margibi County Superintendent John Buway thanked the WASH for remembering the people of the county.Superintendent Buway, asserted that the fight around the disease is all about good hygiene practice and as such the role of the WASH sector cannot be overemphasized. He assured the sector that the kits provided by the Government of Liberia and partners will be used by citizens in the fight against Ebola.The Margibi County Superintendent said with the provision of the kits, it is an indication that the county is not alone in the fight against Ebola.He called residents of the county to ensure that the kits are used for the intended purpose. Commending Government and partners, an Ebola survivor Wonnor Dunnor, expressed his appreciation to Government of Liberia for the gesture.Dunor called on others to emulate the good example of sector by joining the fight against the virus.He said as a member of the Ebola survival group, he 4 Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • November - December 2014 RusHydro to kick off tenders for Nigeria hydropower renovation A subsidiary of Russia’s largest electricity generating company RusHydro is set to put out tenders for the rehabilitation of two hydropower stations in Nigeria bought through the unbundling of the West African country’s state-run electricity system. RusHydro International AG has confirmed that its finance