Richard Moigbeh (middle) chairing the meeting
Scores of descendants of Kono met in Freetown on Tuesday to raise funds to fight against Ebola in the district.
Led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Richard Moigbeh, they set up an 9-member committee to coordinate the response and raise funds to feed the nearly 300 people said to be quarantined in the district.
The instantly raised over Le 9 million, 91 bags of rice, and dozens of cartoons of fish, chicken assorted items.
A follow-up meeting scheduled for Saturday 2:00 PM at the Officers' Mess at Kingtom is expected to raise more funds for the purchase of food items to be dispatched ahead of the lockdown on Thursday.
"This meeting is in response to the Ebola outbreak in our district", DIG Moigbeh told the audience who listened pensively as the situation in the district was being explained.
"We know that there is a national response led by the president but this is a fight for everyone" he said, adding that whatever was raised would be sent to the people of Kono through the appropriate authorities. He said the items would go to the quarantined homes and the volunteer neighbourhood watchmen securing communities against anything that posed a risk to the district.
"We urge all descendants of Kono to donate now and feed the sick and quarantined and not wait for funerals" he said.
The issue of the district's porous border with Guinea and the epicentre districts of Kenema and kailahun were also raised with a commitment to step up the neighbourhood watches over the district.
The 9-member task force comprises Richard Moigbeh, Sahr Jumu as co-chair, Joshua Ellie, Agnes Gbonbgor, Margaret Soloku, Emmanuel Senessie, Daniel Gbondo, Sheku Kamara, Raymond Gbekie and Pastor Tamba Emmanuel Fomba
(C) Politico, 11/09/14
