Brussels, 11/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Saturday 9 May, the EU hailed as an initial victory the World Health Organisation's (WHO) announcement that the Ebola epidemic has ended in Liberia. However, the EU cannot rest on its laurels, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides warned.
The end of the Ebola outbreak was declared after 40 consecutive days with no new case presenting in the country.
“This is great news - for Liberia and for the world. It is a tribute to the bravery and resilience of the people of Liberia, and of the many African and other international health workers who have worked hard for months to bring Ebola down to zero in Liberia. It shows that the fight against Ebola can be won. But it is an incredibly tough fight. We must not be complacent: our collective effort must be sustained until the outbreak is over in Sierra Leone and in Guinea”, Stylianides stated, assuring the two countries of the EU's continued support.
“We must stand by their side as they work to bring cases down to zero. Now is not the time to let up and pull out resources”, he added.
During the international high level conference organised by the EU in Brussels on 3 March to ensure continuing appropriate international mobilisation, all the participants decided to adjust their emergency action to fit the evolution of the situation in order to wipe the disease out totally. The goal was for zero cases of infection in the three countries, and commitments were taken to support the economic relief and resistance efforts of the countries affected - including through developing and strengthening their health systems (see EUROPE 11276).
The European Union and its member countries have thus far committed over €1.39 billion (including €417 million from the European Commission) to help contain, treat and, in the long term, beat the Ebola virus in West Africa. (Aminata Niang)