News outlets report on a London conference to address Ebola, as well as the International Development Committee’s (IDC) call for the U.K. to restore planned budget cuts for Sierra Leone and Liberia in light of Ebola and act on efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone.

Reuters: Britain calls for international help on Ebola as London conference begins
“Britain made a plea for international help to deal with the world’s worst Ebola outbreak at the start of a conference in London on Thursday, with one charity warning that five people are being infected with the virus every hour in Sierra Leone. … Speaking on Thursday before the ‘Defeating Ebola’ conference began, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, called for countries to increase financial aid as well as other vital help including medical expertise, transport, and supplies…” (Holden, 10/2).

Thomson Reuters Foundation: U.K. must restore aid for Sierra Leone and Liberia: report
“Britain must restore planned cuts in its aid budget for Sierra Leone and Liberia in light of the Ebola crisis sweeping through West Africa, a parliamentary committee said on Thursday…” (Guilbert, 10/1).

Thomson Reuters Foundation: U.K. must channel aid to fight FGM in Sierra Leone: lawmakers
“Britain must set up a program to tackle female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone, where the practice is seen as a prerequisite for marriage and even used as a political tool, a parliamentary committee said…” (Batha, 10/2).