Sierra Leone declared Ebola-free

The World Health Organization officially declared the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone over on Saturday.

"I am hugely proud of the brave British medics, scientists, military and aid workers who worked tirelessly and put their lives on the line to help Sierra Leone defeat Ebola," International Development Secretary Justine Greening said. "Our two countries came together in the fight against this devastating disease. Together, our efforts saved thousands of lives in West Africa and helped protect the U.K. from an epidemic that was only ever a plane ride away."

The international response to Sierra Leone's Ebola crisis was led by volunteers and healthcare workers from the United Kingdom. Additionally, the U.K. deployed more than 1,500 military personnel to Sierra Leone to build treatment centers and train local and international healthcare workers.

British volunteers worked as frontline support by setting up mobile hospitals, running laboratories and testing samples. They also oversaw more than 140 burial teams who were committed to providing safe, dignified burials for the victims.

"Post-Ebola, it is essential that we ensure the Sierra Leone has the capabilities, systems, and structures in place to respond to a future outbreak of Ebola or other public health emergency," Greening said. "We will also support a longer term package of assistance for Ebola survivors, helping them to restore their livelihoods, ensuring they have access to healthcare and tackling the stigma they may face when reintegrating into their communities."