Carlos Chirinos, producer of African Ebola aid song, “Africa Stop Ebola,” compares the song to Band Aid’s recording of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in a ENCA video.

The new song, which was launched Monday, tries to address what people can do to stop the disease. It wasn’t made to compete with Band Aid, Chirinos said. Nor is it the only song that has been produced locally about Ebola.

“Africa stop Ebola” has sold 250,000 copies since it’s unofficial release earlier in November with all proceeds going to medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, according to its producers, 3D Family,  VoiceOfAmerica reports.

Monday’s official launch marks the beginning of a campaign using song merchandise including T-shirts, flyers, posters, a video with English subtitles and a social media campaign to show people how the virus can be stopped.

“There have been many songs that have been produced by local artists with support from UNICEF in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea,” Chirinos said in the ENCA video.

What differentiates “Africa Stop Ebola” is that it’s the first song to bring together 12 of the best West African artists, he said. “We are relying heavily on social media and the press has been very supportive. We do not have the type of marketing and public relations machinery that Band Aid has. This is a grass roots movement.”

Although it reached No. 1 in the U.K. charts, Band Aid 30’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was criticized for its rewritten lyrics, including Christmas bells that clang “chimes of doom” and a world of “dread and fear/Where a kiss of love can kill you,” as insulting to Africans, VoiceOfAmerica reports.

Sung in French and local languages including Soussou, Kissi, Lingala and Malinke, “Africa Stop Ebola,” combines rap and melodies distinctive to West Africa. It encourages listeners to take Ebola seriously and go to a doctor if they are ill. The song also warns people avoid shaking hands, stop touching dead bodies wash their hands.

“Africa Stop Ebola,” was recorded by Guinean Mory Kante, Senegalese rapper Didier Awadi, Malians Salif Keita, Oumou Sangare, the duo Amadou and Mariam and Congolese Barbara Kanam.

Renowned Ivorian musician Tiken Jah Fakoly rallied other artists to raise awareness about Ebola, VoiceOfAmerica reports.