As the number of patients with Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone surpassed 6500 with more than 3000 deaths, representatives from the United Nations arrived in Accra, Ghana this week to establish the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER).
This is the first time in history that the UN has created a mission for a public health emergency.
“Our strategy is built around five pillars so we can move fast to stop the outbreak, treat the infected, ensure essential services, preserve stability and prevent any further outbreaks,” says Special Representative of the Secretary General, Mr. Anthony Banbury.
“Ghana has never had a case of Ebola, yet the leadership of this country recognizes the impact this outbreak is having on the region. We are extremely grateful to the Government of Ghana and the people living here for their willingness to support our work. Our task now is to work with the international community and support the national authorities of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to stop this outbreak from spreading any further.”
Welcoming Mr. Banbury and the UNMEER team, Ghana’s Minister for Communications expressed the Government of Ghana’s profound support to the United Nations. “Ebola is a global problem that knows no boundaries. Ghana is happy to host the UNMEER as we work together to contain and prevent further spread of the disease” says the Communications Minister.
UNMEER will be headquartered in Accra and have strong operational presences in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. It will work with host governments and other partners to ensure all components of the national plans to stop Ebola are put in place.