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eb la Part 1 - Time to act T


he current Ebola outbreak in Africa serves as a reminder that we cannot take for


granted the security of our borders from such events. It has become clear since the outbreak started that there was no clear international response strategy in the initial stages. Local Medical Centres had to face the outbreak head on with limited financial support. In some instances Ebola ward nurses were not paid the extra few dollars of 'danger money' for them to work with patients. Consequently the nurses did not turn up for work, which left the doctors to treat patients whilst clearing up body fluids from the floors – some doctors contracted the virus and died. This is a case where tactical mistakes have strategic consequences.


Even now, some 11 months into the outbreak, the UN, MSF and other NGO organisations are still struggling to contain the virus, which has the potential to continue to gain a significant foothold in populations in West Africa. According to the WHO and CDC, the peak of the virus is likely to be in the late spring or summer of 2015. This leaves the world exposed to the potential for viral transmission from aid, media or other workers returning home and migration of the indigenous populations looking for safe havens and ‘better’ medical care. In recent weeks it has been reported that there has been a downturn in the number of reported cases and deaths from the virus in the region.


This information must be taken in context. From our experience on the ground supporting media and NGOs, the reality is that local people are not going to the care facilities as they fear them and are unable to undertake the ritual burial procedures once victims are admitted. It has meant that Ebola has potentially ‘gone underground’ and the ability of the world’s health agencies to monitor and contain its progress has been impeded. This, coupled with recent events in Sierra Leone where thousands of ‘quarantined’ people left their homes to find food, has prevented aid agencies from meeting the demand for food to reach the most affected. Some reports predict that if the outbreak is not contained by the end of December then much, if not all, of Africa could be affected and Ebola will be an issue that we will all have to live and respond to for many years.


10 © CI TY S ECURI TY MAGAZ INE – WINT E R 2015 How to deal with Ebola - a global threat


We have been engaged with the Ebola issue since the outbreak started. It is clear that a lack of preparation and inability of the International Community to respond in the early stages has contributed to the virus gaining a hold. Corporately we must learn from this and take appropriate steps to implement polices, procedures and training in order to mitigate the effects of an event that directly affects our own businesses and personnel, either in Africa, or even on our own doorsteps.


The time to invest in refreshing current policies, procedures and training is now. The financial effects of not planning and preparing could be serious in the short and long terms. In addition, there are equally or more serious implications for corporate managers who could be accused, including in court, overseas or at home, of not fulfilling their duty of care to their staff, customers or other third parties should deaths result directly from inaction.


Together we have developed a portfolio of risk assessment tools and courses to help support organisations in their planning, implementation of policies and operational delivery. We believe the following responses can create a cohesive and robust response for an organisation:


Education - Knowledge and awareness among all staff are an essential ingredient, as is empowerment at all appropriate levels.


Do not underestimate the time it takes to appropriately train and inform people. Practical training includes Personal Protective Equipment, Personal Hygiene Procedures, Work Place Security and Decontamination Procedures, and this training is best deployed as a result of defined ‘triggers’.


Biological Monitoring - Policies, procedures, equipment and swift diagnosis should be deployable at short notice in order to support the health care and security teams supporting your employees. There are capabilities available now that can provide a diagnosis within the hour, enabling swift and decisive actions to be taken with regards to the way in which a patient is ‘contained’ and treated.


Many of the symptoms of Ebola are similar to other illnesses; the key is rapid identification in order to dispel scaremongering amongst www. c i t y s e cur i t yma ga z ine . com


employees and other personnel that may have come in to contact with the patient.


Organisational Resilience - A review of current policies, procedures and decision- making tools should be carried out in order to ensure swift and appropriate actions are taken. These should be driven by a risk assessment approach, and the risks should be assessed in the light of the threats to the people and the business. Many, or most, large businesses operating globally or regionally out of the UK are sustained not just by the staff in the headquarters country, but more and more by the host country or regional staff in the overseas areas of operations. Those staff are the ones who travel within and between countries and, therefore, in an Ebola context, are the ones most like to catch Ebola; if they do, then they cannot work, and if they cannot work then the business fails.


Liability - A review of insurances and corporate responsibilities should be undertaken in order to ensure adequate protection.


Action - Action needs to be taken now, and enacting an Ebola response at the earliest opportunity will ensure an organisation has the ability to take timely, well-informed and appropriate decisions in order to safeguard both the business interests and its employees and affected third parties.


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