Local Nonprofits Respond to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

This week Hope for Lives in Sierra Leone in Germantown and Brother’s Brother Foundation (BBF) in Merrifield, VA and Pittsburgh, PA put together a donation of medical supplies and equipment for Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

This is the first medical shipment sponsored by Hope for Lives in Sierra Leone, an organization led by Sierra Leonean Americans living in the Washington area. The shipment includes a large amount of face masks, protective gowns and protective gloves to support medical facilities in Sierra Leone that are coping with the Ebola outbreak. This outbreak has killed over 101 victims since April 2014 in Sierra Leone and nearly 500 in the West Africa region. The shipment includes donated supplies from Johns Hopkins Health (Suburban), MedStar Health and University of Maryland Medical Center.

A 40-foot container shipment will be sent from BBF Pittsburgh later in July with additional gowns, gloves, masks, soap and other requested supplies. Over the past three and one half years BBF has sent 73 containers of supplies and simple medical equipment for use among 200 hospitals and clinics in Africa, including 30 medical facilities in Sierra Leone and Liberia. These two countries are experiencing the deadly outbreak.

BBF is a 56-year old Pittsburgh-based international charity with a newly opened warehouse in Fairfax, Virginia. BBF has provided over 100 thousand tons of medical supplies, textbooks, food, seeds, and other humanitarian supplies to people around the world in over 140 countries. With the help of gifts from the general public, corporations and foundations, in 2013 BBF sent product contributions to those in need in 64 countries. These shipments were the equivalent of 252 tractor trailer loads. Also in 2013, BBF provided supplies for 321 medical and humanitarian hand-carry mission trips.

Forbes Magazine highlighted BBF as one of only three charities with a 100 percent rating for both fundraising efficiency and charitable commitment of the 50 largest charities reviewed in November 2013. The Better Business Bureau continues to give BBF its “Wise Giving Alliance Standards” seal of approval. BBF achieved a 4-star rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator.

Both organizations are accepting donations to assist with shipping costs.

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