The Role of Faith-Based Organizations and Faith Leaders in the 2014-2016 Ebola Epidemic in Liberia

Authors

  • Perry Jansen MedSend, SIM

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v6i1.265

Keywords:

ebola, liberia, epidemic, faith leaders, faith-based organizations, public health

Abstract

Since the time of Christ, caring for the sick and the poor has been a core distinctive of authentic Christianity.  The response of Christians during many of the great plagues of antiquity played an important role in the spread of Christianity.  In modern history, response to epidemics have been professionalized and, to a certain extent, secularized.  The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa offers an important illustration of the role that faith leaders and faith-based organizations still play in providing a trusted link between communities and international relief workers.  In late 2018, the world was faced with another outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  It is vital to build upon the lessons of prior epidemics as we support local efforts to prepare for, detect and respond to inevitable future outbreaks.

Author Biography

Perry Jansen, MedSend, SIM

MD, DTMH, VP of Strategic Partnerships for MedSend. Served as a missionary with SIM in Malawi where he was the founder and Executive Director of the Malawian non-profit health organization, Partners in Hope.

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Published

2019-05-31

How to Cite

Jansen, P. (2019). The Role of Faith-Based Organizations and Faith Leaders in the 2014-2016 Ebola Epidemic in Liberia. Christian Journal for Global Health, 6(1), 70–78. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v6i1.265