Brussels, 21/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 20 October, Oxfam International welcomed the intention expressed by the foreign ministers of the EU to step up the European response to this crisis, but regrets the inadequacy of the resources earmarked to stem the epidemic in Africa (EUROPE 11180).
“Today's push for greater European coordination on Ebola is good news, but what is required is concrete action - more doctors, equipment and troops on the ground are desperately needed”.
“The unprecedented scale of this crisis requires military deployment to give rapid logistical support to the humanitarian response”, said Natalia Alonso, deputy director of the European office of Oxfam. Arguing that the “narrow window of opportunity to prevent Ebola spiralling out of control in West Africa, and potentially beyond, is closing”, she stressed that the European Council of 23 and 24 October must decide on “bolder action to help stop this terrible disease”. She went on to state that “the EU must follow the US and UK example and urgently commit to put boots on the ground”. Although the ministers called to boost the EU's capacity to evacuate humanitarian workers and healthcare personnel rapidly, Oxfam regrets the fact that they “failed to make the commitment necessary to ensure the people working to save lives can be deployed and returned home”. (AN)