World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) calls for increased support for communities struck by Ebola
The World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) has called for an accelerated action to support West African communities devastated by the scourge of Ebola. Abdul Koroma, Secretary General of the The Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishers Union (SLAFU), a member organisation of the WFFP, has informed the world body that six fishers from the Tombo fishing communities have died from the deadly virus and many others have fallen ill.
Tombo is a coastal fishing town in the Western Area Rural District of Sierra Leone, approximately 30 miles (49 km) east of Freetown. The town serves as a major trade and transport hub for small scale fishing vessels.
Mr Koroma has told of the fear that stalks the community as people are struck down by the virus. He said that the congestion in Tombo made it difficult for residents to heed the warning of health authorities that people should not touch each other. He said fishers worked in close proximity at sea and when boats docked at the Wharf, the entire community was placed at risk.
He said ten houses were under quarantine, but occupants were forced to leave from time to time, in search of food and other supplies. He added that the fear of being infected as well as emergency regulations, severely restricted people from moving around. This, he said, reduced fishers’ capacity to sustain livelihoods.
Illiteracy and lack of knowledge of the virus, also hampered efforts to combat the virus, he said.
Reporting that many fishers who migrated from Yeliboya to Tombo were instructed to return Mr Koroma said:
“Three of them are currently in police custody in Freetown and SLAFU are pleading for their release. Ebola has resulted in many challenges for our fishers. There is no movement, no markets for their products. How can they sustain their lives?”
He said that fishing was the sole livelihood for the Tombo community and that “without fishing all other activities are paralysed.”
To date the Ebola epidemic has killed over 5,000 people out of the 14,413 infected. There are currently 5, 235 infected in Sierra Leone with 1,187 deaths (please note that these figures change daily).
In Sierra Leone, the closure of markets, internal travel restrictions and fear of infection has curtailed food trade and caused supply shortages. Food prices have sky rocketed and agricultural production has decreased.
The WFFP has expressed its deep concern for affected fishing and other communities across West Africa.
Naseegh Jaffer, the Secretary General of the WFFP said: “We express our support to our friends and colleagues at SLAFU and the fishing communities living in the Ebola affected areas as well as all communities in West Africa impacted by the virus. Our deepest sympathies go to the loved ones of those deceased.”
“We call on governments worldwide to respond to calls on the ground to increase medical facilities, medical practitioners as well as assist in ensuring that food security is maintained in these regions.”
“Finally, we call on the international community to stand in solidarity with those in West Africa and to support all efforts to bring relief and dignity to the sick and dying.”
SLAFU are appealing to the international community to provide food, provisions and monetary assistance, especially for those quarantined. SLAFU staff would like any assistance in moving to the least affected areas, as well as any form of medical assistance possible.
If you would like to assist the fishers you can contact SLAFU directly and email the general secretary Abdul Mamoud Koroma at slafu2013@yahoo.com or make a donation to the following account:
Bank Name: Ecobank Sierra Leone Limited
Address: 7 Lightfoot Boston Street, Freetown Sierra Leone West Africa
Swift code: ECOCSLFR
Account Name Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishermen’s Union
Account Number 0060094804038002.
“Thanking you in advance for your kind consideration.” – Abdul