ACCRA, Ghana, October 1, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the number of patients with Ebola in Guinea,
Liberia and Sierra Leone surpassed 6500 with more than 3000 deaths, the United Nations is
increasing the momentum to curb the spread of the disease. The Special Representative of
the Secretary General, Mr. Anthony Banbury, arrived in Accra Monday 29 September to
head the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), which will join
governments and international partners to respond to the Ebola outbreak.
“Ghana has never had a case of Ebola, yet the leadership of this country recognizes the
impact this outbreak is having on the region” says Banbury. “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.
Acting UN Resident Coordinator Ms Susan Namondo Ngongi, who leads the UN Country
Team in Ghana, sees an important role for a number of UN agencies to support the
establishment and the operations of UNMEER Headquarters in Ghana. The UN Country
Team will also continue to support the Government of Ghana in its own Ebola preparedness.
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,”
Banbury says.
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 rapidly put in place.
While most of the UNMEER team will remain in Accra this week to establish the
headquarters of the operation, Mr Banbury will visit the affected countries to see first hand
where the greatest needs are and discuss with the governments and other partners the
priorities for filling the gaps.
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