WeChat is taking up the fight against Ebola by offering the latest news and information to its community, while also supporting major global aid organisations.
The Ebola virus is a worldwide health crisis coupled with a war against lack of immediate information, access to support and the ability to act.
WeChat Africa saw an opportunity for its social communications platform to support the fight against Ebola as WeChat offers a central point of control.
The Ebola24 Official Account (OA) was created and is available in English and French. The OA is a repository of information and support for not only the inhabitants of affected areas, but also for anyone wanting to know more about the crisis.
Endorsed by the United Nations Foundation (UNF) and with content from Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF), it covers topics like treatment, concerns, news, symptoms, prevention and success stories. With immediate access to doctors and ability to find the nearest clinic through the OA, Ebola24 is fighting Ebola both online and off.
Vice-president for Global Health Strategy at the UNF, Kate Dodson, is pleased to be collaborating with WeChat on Ebola24. She says, “In the midst of the worst Ebola outbreak the world has ever seen, information is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight the spread of this devastating disease. WeChat’s Ebola 24 OA makes essential information easily accessible to the people who need it most.”
Besides being better informed, users can also take action and be a part of the solution by signing a petition started by ONE.org, which can be found within the OA.
International digital director at ONE.org, David Cole, explains that the organisation feels the world waited too long to respond to Ebola. He says: “Every day that we continue to wait – for funding to reach the ground, for nurses and doctors to be deployed, for the shattered medical services to be rebuilt – more people die. With the ONE campaign, we’re working to ensure governments do their part by encouraging citizens around the world to sign our petition.
“Working with WeChat and Ebola24 has enabled us to reach a whole new audience across Africa who we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to contact. With WeChat’s support we hope to put even more pressure on leaders to make and deliver bold commitments and help end the Ebola epidemic.”
In addition to the petition, there is a ‘donate’ button, which redirects users so that they can donate to the UNF or MSF’s efforts to curb Ebola.
Head of communications at MSF South Africa, Borrie la Grange, comments: “The MSF has been working to fight the spread of Ebola and bring care to thousands of people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia since March 2014.
“As Africans we’ve taken a very strong interest in following developments closely while trying hard to make a concrete difference that saves lives, borne from deep solidarity with people facing the crisis. We feel the Ebola24 OA puts information about the epidemic in the hands of fellow Africans and enables them to support the fight against Ebola.”
Dodson adds: “Ebola24 connects people concerned about the outbreak directly with opportunities to support the vital and ongoing efforts to stop Ebola. We are grateful for the chance to have our Ebola Response Fund, which directly
supports the United Nations’ Ebola response efforts, included in the app.”
