THE 2014 Ebola epidemic has been reported as probably one of the largest outbreaks affecting multiple countries in Africa.

The most affected countries included Liberia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal. It has caused great devastation in many communities, including a continuing threat to their stability.

Efforts to fight the epidemic, led by various international governmental/non-governmental groups in conjunction with local medical personnel and community leaders, have continued to yield fruit.

By the first week of March 2015, the last patient diagnosed with Ebola in Liberia was discharged from the treatment centre and Liberia is now set to join the list of countries declared Ebola-free, if no new case is detected within 42 days of the last case.

This is a remarkable achievement. There is recognition that the impact of this disease on the affected communities will not be reversed with eradication of the disease alone.

There is great economic impact and ongoing toll on the families who have lost loved ones to, and survivors of, the outbreak. The Africa Education Initiative (NEF), a not-for-profit organization based in the United States, recognized these challenges and late last year, led a fund-raising campaign to help with the fight against Ebola.

The Foundation’s President, Dr. Chudy Nduaka recently announced that the Foundation would donate N1 million to two non-profit organisations that are presently helping to combat Ebola in West Africa.

Nduaka implored other organizations, corporations and kind-hearted individuals to continue to support efforts in Africa to combat Ebola.