Before the distribution, volunteers who live in the neighborhood and trained by MSF visit families to explain how the distribution works. They give each family a ticket indicating the number of people living in the same room, which will authorize them to obtain the drugs. A female family member comes to the distribution site to pick up a packet that contains the treatments.

On October 29, 20,000 families – 100,000 people – living in the New Kru neighborhood had already received one treatment. The distribution will continue for several days in other neighborhoods. It will be repeated the next two months at the same locations, with the same treatment and mosquito nets.

Given the backdrop of Ebola, vigilance is essential. To protect both the population and health care workers against the risk of infection, the distribution takes place early in the morning, when the streets are still empty. Participants keep their distance from each other to avoid any physical contact. The operation is divided among 55 sites.

After each distribution, the MSF-trained volunteers ensure that the message has gotten through, going door-to-door to confirm that all family members have taken the drugs even if they are not ill, because the treatment both cures and prevents the illness.