The Ebola crisis in West Africa is a grave threat to public health and requires a swift and effective response. Unfortunately, measures such as the imposition of travel bans, may hinder rather than help efforts to contain the virus by impeding the flow of expertise and supplies to the affected areas. A coordinated response from governments, regional and international organisations is essential. Civil society organisations also, have a critical role to play, helping to ensure that communities are well informed and that dangerous misinformation is dispelled. With the adequate care, contracting the virus is by no means a death sentence. Yet too many people have already died in West Africa in the Ebola outbreak. The economic impact is disastrous for a region that is struggling to deal with severe poverty and the aftermath of many years of armed conflict. I urge donors and other partners in the international community, together with national governments and civil society organisations across the region, to urgently support the courageous efforts of the first responders who are tackling this crisis. Without adequate and timely support, the crisis is likely to worsen and create further misery and anguish in West Africa and beyond. - Kofi Annan, chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation. What you need to know about Ebola: who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:56:24 +0000
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