The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the launch of the Africa United campaign in collaboration with professional footballers, celebrities as well as international health and aid organizations in a bid to boost the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease.

The Africa United campaign hopes to help prevent the further spread of Ebola in the West African region after the recent and ongoing outbreak has resulted in deaths of more than 5,000 people and had economic impact which the World Bank projects will result in losses totalling millions of dollars.  The campaign, launched during the draws for the 2015 African Cup of Nations, is specifically targeted at appropriate dissemination of information, educating the populace in West Africa on the vital roles that medical workers play as well as providing resources to aid the fight against the spread of the disease.

Among the public figures shortlisted as ambassadors for the campaign are Yaya Touré, Carlton Cole, Kei Kamara, Patrick Viera, Fabrice Muamba and Andros Townsend as they feature in television campaigns. CAF has also planned communications campaigns on radio and outdoor media as well.

Popular British actor Idris Elba also supports the campaign as he features in some promotional campaigns as well. Elba described the campaign as crucial for showing the affected victims of the disease that they are not alone in the fight.

“For me the battle against Ebola is a personal one. To see those amazing countries in West Africa where my father grew up and my parents married being ravaged by this disease is painful and horrific,” said Idris Elba.

“Imagine having to sit down and tell your family that you were going to fight this disease. That conversation is happening across West Africa and around the world every day. I am in awe of the bravery of these health workers, who put their lives at risk day in and out to stop the spread of this terrible disease. My hope is that, in some small way, through the development of these PSAs and the creation of the Africa United campaign, we can ensure that these workers get the support they need and that health messages are delivered to people on the ground to help them in their fight,” Elba added.

Another ambassador of the campaign, reigning African Player of the Year Yaya Toure says the focus has to be on matching words with action.

“I wanted to support this campaign for so many reasons. I could not sit back without doing something to help fight Ebola. It is important we don’t treat this as something we just discuss with work colleagues or simply follow on the news for updates – instead our focus should be to do something,” said Yaya Touré.

CAF will also disseminate educational resources and information on the disease while working closely with its various partners including the CDC Foundation, SuperSport, ONE, UNICEF and Voice of America.

The fight against Ebola is one which CAF has taken very seriously as CAF President Issa Hayatou describes the situation as an emergency.

‘Stopping Ebola is an emergency, and CAF is committed to using the powerful platform of football in service of our brothers in West Africa who are suffering from Ebola,’ said Mr. Issa Hayatou.

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