The World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 3,000 people have died of Ebola in West Africa. It is the world's most deadly outbreak of the virus. This article by the BBC highlights the impact of this epidemic on children, including the death of parents and primary caregivers and the struggle to find alternative caregivers in a context of extreme fear of contamination. Manuel Fontaine from UNICEF explained that "Orphans are usually taken in by a member of the extended family, but in some communities, the fear surrounding Ebola is becoming stronger than family ties."
The organisation is pointing to the need for urgent special attention and support for these children including a need for alternative caregivers. UNICEF conducted a two-week assessment to the three countries worst-affected by the outbreak. It reported that children were discovered alone in the hospitals where their parents had died, or back in their communities where, if they were lucky, they were being fed by neighbours - but all other contact with them was being avoided.