Red Cross seeks aid

The Uganda Red Cross Society (URC) has appealed for sh194m to help curb the spread of Ebola in Gulu and Mbarara districts, reports Josephine Maseruka. The account on which contributions can be deposited is Standard Chartered A/C No. 01002 28879-22-9. Material assistance can be taken to URC head office on Lumumba Avenue. The Secretary General of URC, Mr. Robert Kwesiga, yesterday said Dr. Rasak Askadiri, an Ebola specialist from Benin, had started training more Red Cross volunteers. The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation have already trained 50 Red Cross volunteers who are mobilising people at the grass roots in the affected districts and are also involved in case tracing. Kwesiga said the URC was in need of protective clothing, volunteer support, tents, tarpaulins, gum boots and vehicles among other things. Kwesiga said URC had received an initial donation of US$30,000 from the China Red Cross. The British Red Cross promised protective gear and information materials while the Spanish Red Cross promised US$ 25,000. He said, "If foreigners can assist us, why can't Ugandans faced with the problem contribute to this noble cause?" Ends.