Svani Group donates vehicles to support Ebola fight

Svani Group Limited has donated eight Mahindra pick up vehicles and three 20 kvA generators valued at $250,000 to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the fight against the Ebola viral disease.

The vehicles would be used by the UN Mission on Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER).

The donation was the first of its kind by a private sector institution in the West African sub-region in the fight against Ebola, following calls for support from world leaders to help combat the epidemic.

The viral disease has so far affected more than 18,000 people and killed almost 7,000.

Mr Thomas Svanikier, Chairman Svani Group said: “We are happy to have heeded to the call by the ECOWAS chairperson, President John Mahama and the UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon to the private sector, to provide a long-term commitment to support global efforts to help eradicate Ebola in most affected countries.”

He said it was the group’s contribution to help channel resources to the affected countries, especially to target areas.

Mr Dominic Sam, UNDP Country Director Ghana, expressed his gratitude to the Svani Group, saying the donation is an example of how the private sector could be involved in the fight against Ebola in support of the work of the UNMEER.

“It is really gratifying to see the private sector step up and join the fight against Ebola. In some remote community, a child or a family would be saved by this donation, which would probably be their best gift of the season,” he said.

Mr Girish Sinha, Director of Mission Support UNMEER, said transportation is a key need in the countries affected by Ebola and thanked Svani Group for the thoughtful donation.

UNMEER was established by the United Nations at the end of September to stop the spread of Ebola, treat the infected and prevent it from appearing in unaffected countries.