The Ebola death toll has topped 4,500, and it’s still getting worse, the World Health Organization says. The lion’s share of the work in Liberia, the hardest-hit country, and much of West Africa has been done by missionaries and groups like Medecins Sans Frontieres — and doctors for some of those groups are among the infected.
More organizations are mobilizing to help. Here’s how you can help:
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF or Doctors Without Borders) has some 2,000 staff in the region but says it can’t keep up with demand and needs more help.
Samaritan’s Purse, the group that sent Dr. Kent Brantly to Liberia, has helped lead the response to the crisis. It recently airlifted as much as 100 tons of protective equipment and other supplies to Liberia.
SIM USA is the organization that sent missionaries Dr. Rick Sacra and Nancy Writebol to Liberia, where it has been active since the 1950s.
The United Nations Foundation set up an Ebola response fund to contribute assistance, supplies and personnel. Text EBOLA to 27722 to donate $10.
The American Red Cross is helping fight Ebola, using a $2.8 million donation from the Paul G. Allen foundation. The group will focus on managing the outbreak and increasing public awareness.
International Medical Corps is treating Ebola patients and has been delivering humanitarian support in the region since 1999.
The International Rescue Committee has been working closely with local government and community leaders in Sierra Leone and Liberia to combat the spread of Ebola since the outbreak began.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged $50 million to support emergency efforts on Ebola.
Christian humanitarian organization World Vision is working to organize prevention campaigns and to distribute relief supplies in Sierra Leone.
The National Peace Corps Association has launched an Ebola Relief Fund in collaboration with former volunteers from Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
SOS Children's Villages provides care to orphaned and abandoned children, including in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. It also runs a medical center in Monrovia, Liberia.