Freetown, November 7, 2023 – The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, took to social media today to reflect on the significant milestone of the 8th anniversary of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of the end of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.
Aki-Sawyerr, who had played a pivotal role as the Director of Planning for the National Ebola Response Centre from December 2014, shared her emotional recollections of that day.
She recalled the intense emotions of that momentous occasion and how she had to hold back tears for most of the ceremony.
The night before, there was pure joy as she and her team stayed in the NERC office, counting down to midnight ahead of “0+42 days” with no new Ebola cases, signifying a major turning point in the battle against the deadly virus.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr used the opportunity to pay tribute to the 3,956 Ebola victims who tragically lost their lives during the outbreak, wishing for their souls to rest in perfect peace.
She also expressed her continued remembrance and support for Ebola survivors who continue to grapple with the long-term effects of the virus.
In her message, Aki-Sawyerr emphasized the collective effort that led to the successful containment of the Ebola outbreak eight years ago, attributing it to strategic planning, community ownership, and inclusive leadership.
“8 years ago, we beat Ebola together!” Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s post serves as a reminder of the resilience, unity, and dedication that marked Sierra Leone’s response to the Ebola crisis, and the ongoing commitment to the well-being of those affected.
