Fordham University's Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs Launches "Stopping Ebola: Inside the Response" Podcast in Collaboration with the United Nations and the University of Pretoria
Fordham University's Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA), in collaboration with the United Nations and the University of Pretoria, is launching "Stopping Ebola: Inside the Response," a new podcast offering a direct window into the evolution of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and what is being done on the ground now.
The Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, unfolding amid one of the world's most complex humanitarian crises, is on track to become the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in history. "Stopping Ebola: Inside the Response" is a real-time exchange between leading experts, first responders, humanitarian and health professionals on what is required to stop transmission and save lives, each episode examining a different aspect of the response.
"Founded to be a bridge between the humanitarian sector and academia, the Institute serves our mission and indeed the mission of Fordham University through training, research, publications, webinars, and podcasts. I am thrilled to welcome our newest podcast, 'Stopping Ebola: Inside the Response,' as we examine the identification, mitigation and control of Ebola through urgent conversations with responders, health officials, and members of affected communities," said Brendan Cahill, executive director of the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs. "Through this series, we hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of the science, community engagement, and humanitarian action needed to respond effectively to an international health crisis."
The first episode, "What Ebola Has Taught Us and Why It Matters Now," features three global health leaders who have helped shape the history of the Ebola response: Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, Congolese virologist, co-discoverer of Ebola and director general of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's National Institute for Biomedical Research; Professor Peter Piot, co-discoverer of Ebola and a leading figure in global health; and Dr. Deborah Birx, physician and diplomat who helped coordinate the international response to the 2014 West Africa Ebola epidemic.
"From Bunia, we are seeing an outbreak moving faster than the response can currently scale, in communities already affected by conflict, displacement, and fragile health services," said Julien Harneis, senior Ebola coordinator and co-host of the podcast. "This podcast is about turning experience into action. We are asking the best experts in the field the questions that matter now on the ground and this series is designed to support that real-time exchange."
"Stopping Ebola: Inside the Response" is hosted by Ruth Mukwana and Julien Harneis, senior Ebola coordinator based in Bunia, DRC. The series is produced by Fordham University's Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs with support from Radio Okapi studio in Bunia. Special thanks to our Fordham work study students who have provided administrative support in preparation for the launch.
The podcast will be available on major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
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Founded in 2001, the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) is a university-wide center that incorporates the academic rigor and intellectual standard of Fordham University with the experience and expertise of aid and development agencies in the field. The IIHA endeavors to advance the methods and framework by which humanitarian workers operate, serving as a bridge between academia and humanitarian efforts worldwide. In addition to our courses, the IIHA is a U.S. partner of NOHA, a consortium of 12 European universities offering in-person and online humanitarian education, and publishes on a wide range of humanitarian topics, hosts symposia and lectures, gallery exhibitions at our Refuge Gallery, podcasts, webinars, and student events. Media Contact: [email protected]