Rebecca Harris MP recently attended a reception in Parliament to show her support for Christian Aid Week (12-18 May, caweek.org). At the event which celebrates the UKs largest acct of Christian witness, Rebecca Harris MP attended the event to find out about activities and events taking place across the UK.

This year, Christian Aid Week is encouraging the British public to stand together with mothers in Sierra Leone, where it is often very dangerous to give birth due to distances to medical centres and lack of available equipment and trained healthcare workers. Additionally, Sierra Leone was the most affected country by the Ebola crisis, with over 14,000 cases leading to fatalities of 10% of health professionals in the country.

Following the crisis, Sierra Leone was given loans to help control the outbreak which has left the country heavily indebted, detrimentally impacting public spending and limiting the resources available to provide basic health services. Today, a shocking 10% of mothers in the country die in childbirth, and 10% of children will not live to see their fifth birthday.

Rebecca Harris, Member of Parliament for Castle Point said:

‘I was pleased to meet representatives from Christian Aid to hear about the great work being done to help more mums and babies in Sierra Leone live longer, healthier lives. For millions of people around the world, Christian Aid’s work provides vital support, and I thank the residents of Castle Point who have donated this year and members of local churches who have done the collection’.

Daisy-Rose Srblin, Christian Aid’s Senior UK Advocacy Adviser said:

“For over 70 years, Christian Aid has been a champion for people’s rights, tackling injustice and advocating for global change to address the root causes of poverty. Last year well over 50,000 supporters and volunteers across the country helped raise almost £8m and this year through your support, Christian Aid will be able to do so much more. We are very grateful for Rebecca’s support for Christian Aid’s work and to those across the country who have been able to take part in this year’s Christian Aid Week”