The Ebola epidemic has claimed more than 4,400 lives, and its destructive impact continues to expand. Since some cases have been confirmed in the United States, the disease is causing increased worry locally.

The most severely impacted countries are Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, all of which have severely underfunded health care systems. Their situation is made more complicated by a lack of clean water and basic hygiene services.

The Church is trying to give people hope in a variety of ways. Throughout Western Africa, the Catholic Church is involved in health care, treating patients in its clinics and hospitals. All churches and faith communities have a vital role to play in promoting good hygiene and safe funeral practices to prevent the spread of this virus.

Along with other non-governmental agencies such as Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is responding to the Ebola outbreak by working closely with local government health officials to distribute information about the virus, how it is spread, and how to prevent transmission. CRS has committed more than $1.5 million in private funds to continue its emergency response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

If you would like to support this emergency work of Catholic Relief Services, you can donate to the CRS West Africa Emergency Fund through the following website: www.crs.org/donate or you may call 1-877-435-7277.

In a September 23, 2014, letter to the National Security Council, spokespersons for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and CRS welcomed the U.S. Government's commitment to respond to the Ebola crisis and encouraged the United States to do the following:

-- Urge other donor nations to increase their commitment to send disaster response teams and resources.
-- Ensure that the availability of treatment centers, medical equipment, materials and trained personnel keeps pace with the epidemic.
-- Make a long-term commitment to resolving the underlying problem of the severe lack of capacity in the health systems of the affected countries.
-- Collaborate with Church health structures and other community-based organizations to develop public education programs to help halt the spread of the virus.
-- Prepare for the growing humanitarian and long-term impacts of the outbreak.

I encourage everyone to pray for those who have been infected, for healthcare workers, for those who have lost loved ones, and for the repose of the souls of those who have died, among whom are priests, sisters, missionaries, and health care workers who contracted the disease while caring for their people.

To all, my ongoing advice is to be aware, do not panic, and always use good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of viruses and other communicable diseases.