A British ship carrying aid, supplies and vehicles arrived in Ebola-hit Sierra Leone yesterday.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus reached the capital Freetown, complete with 32 off-road vehicles to keep hard-pressed Ebola treatment centres in action, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The vehicles will be used to transport staff, medicines and equipment across the west African country, which has been devastated by the deadly virus.
The World Health Organisation has confirmed the death toll from Ebola has risen to nearly 5,000 people, mainly across Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
RFA Argus – which left Falmouth in Cornwall on October 17 – made the journey from a British naval base in Gibraltar, where it was loaded with its much-needed cargo last week.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has described the mission as a sign of the nation’s “determination to lead the world’s efforts to tackle the Ebola crisis”.
In total, about 800 British military personnel are being deployed to help set up treatment centres and an Ebola training academy.
Fallon said: “I am immensely proud of the commitment our troops – both regular and reserve – who are playing a pivotal role in delivering Britain’s response to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. The arrival of RFA Argus reinforces the great work already done ashore and demonstrates how the British military’s expertise will be used to support the government of Sierra Leone as together we tackle the spread of this appalling disease.”
Three Merlin helicopters will be used to transport British medical teams and aid experts across Sierra Leone, while three Royal Marine boats will move equipment and personnel inland through the country’s river network. Captain David Eagles, commanding officer of RFA Argus, said: “It has been a very busy passage south from the UK.
“Now that RFA Argus has arrived in country we are all looking forward to playing our part and doing our best to contribute to the DFID-led mission to contain the spread of the disease.”
Aircraft handler Mark Chapman, 33, said: “Just a few weeks ago we were conducting exercises off the UK coast, so this is a complete change of programme and a step up in tempo, but this is what all the training is for.
“I joined the Navy to go on operations around the world, but it’s not all about war-fighting, there is the humanitarian element too. I am proud to be in Sierra Leone where I think we will add real value.”
The UK is leading the international response to the Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone and the Government has already committed £205 million to fight the disease.
The army’s Royal Engineers have overseen the construction of five treatment units, which will provide 700 beds from the end of November.
More than 20 army reservists have also been called up to help run the Kerry Town treatment centre for healthcare workers. Letters have been sent to the medical professionals, who all volunteered for the Ebola operation, and they will be deployed in December until late February .