Monrovia, 24 October 2014 – The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Liberia Red Cross (LRC) have reached out to more than 400,000 people in Liberia in its efforts to battle the Ebola Virus Disease.

The awareness programme, which is supported by Sime Darby Plantation Liberia (SDPL), includes community engagement and psychosocial support. This covers various counties including Grand Cape Mount and Bomi, where SDPL operates.

In August 2014, SDPL responded to IFRC’s emergency appeal on the Ebola Virus outbreak. The main objective of the partnership is to support IFRC in their expansion efforts to contain the outbreak through awareness programmes. This includes on-ground collaboration to extend facilities and training of SDPL workers, their families and the surrounding communities.

“Social mobilisation efforts like door to door campaigns, are vital to create greater awareness on the virus. SDPL hopes the partnership will overcome some of the challenges faced through greater collaborative efforts with affected communities. SDPL will continue to work with local players including the authorities and the Government of Liberia in their efforts to contain the outbreak,” said Liberia Country Head Roslin Azmy Hassan.

In the wake of the Ebola outbreak, IFRC’s on-ground operations have been expanded by leaps and bounds in an uphill battle to bring the spread of the disease under control. It has been managing contact tracing, disinfecting homes and managing dead bodies. Volunteers have specifically been trained to conduct psychosocial support with beneficiaries and contact tracing activities.

SDPL currently has a workforce of almost 3,000. In 2009, Sime Darby signed a 63-year concession agreement with the government of Liberia to develop oil palm plantations in Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Gbarpolu and Bong counties.