For Immediate Release
October 23, 2014
Contact:
Ásgeir Sigfússon, sigfusson@afsa.org, (202) 944-5508
Allan Saunders, saunders@afsa.org, (202) 719-9712

Washington, D.C. – The men and women of America’s Foreign Service are on the front line of the fight against Ebola in West Africa, alongside members of the U.S. military and American citizens representing non-governmental organizations, international aid groups and religious assistance groups. Their efforts are crucial to containing the disease in the region.

Foreign Service personnel are working to coordinate response efforts, deliver medical supplies, assist in the establishment of field hospitals and other life-saving infrastructure, and advise local governments on how to combat the disease. They are also the primary resource for American citizens on the ground in those countries.

The American Foreign Service Association, the professional association and labor union of the United States Foreign Service, calls for the continued strong support of these men and women. Of particular concern would be any attempt to hamper travel to and from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea or any other country stricken, which could harm American efforts to address this major health crisis and could potentially leave hundreds of Americans, including our diplomats and development professionals, without adequate medical recourse should they contract the disease.

AFSA’s leadership is closely monitoring this situation on behalf of its members and their families and is maintaining close contact with the Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development in order to remain up to date on conditions in the affected countries.

AFSA, the voice of the Foreign Service, is the professional association and labor union of the U.S. Foreign Service. Founded in 1924, AFSA represents 31,000 active and retired Foreign Service employees at the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, Foreign Commercial Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Broadcasting Board of Governors.