Thomson Reuters Foundation: Yellow fever in Angola: Are we repeating the mistakes of Ebola?
Elhadj As Sy, secretary general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

“…The international community and the Angolan authorities can still put the lessons of Ebola into real action and prevent [the yellow fever] crisis from surging out of control. Ebola has shown us that public health solutions must begin and end with local communities. Community engagement is essential. … In Angola and surrounding countries, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is supporting National Societies to work with communities to stop yellow fever transmission. Community-driven solutions to vector control, health promotion, and vaccination are the key. But communities cannot solve every problem themselves. Weak surveillance, limited vector control, and poor health care are some of the root factors behind the outbreak and these must be addressed through a broad range of partners. The people of Angola need an urgent and coordinated response, where support is targeted to local needs and concerns and made available now” (6/30).