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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 8, 2014 8:25 PM IST
A UN committee has approved a USD 49.9 million funding for the world body's large-scale response to tackle the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. The Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution allocating funding for the newly established UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) and the Office of the Special Envoy on Ebola.
At the committee's meeting, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Chef de Cabinet, Susana Malcorra, presented his preliminary funding proposal requesting USD 49.9 million for the rest of the year. The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) endorsed the amount and recommended that the General Assembly approve it. UNMEER teams have already deployed to the Mission headquarters in Accra, Ghana, and to offices in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The establishment of UNMEER is the first step in the global efforts to contain the outbreak, which must be further strengthened by a wide range of actions and measures at all levels, President of the General Assembly Sam Kutesa said, highlighting efforts to mobilize required financial, medical and humanitarian assistance. More than 6,500 people have been believed to be infected, and more than 3,300 have died since the latest outbreak of the disease was confirmed in March.
Aside from the UNMEER funding, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that it needs USD 988 million to respond to the outbreak. So far, USD 257 million ? or 26 per cent ? has been raised. Meanwhile, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) is warning that the Ebola health crisis must not be allowed to become a crippling socio-economic crisis as well, as two of its officials began a visit to Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
This devastating health crisis is destroying lives and communities. It is also impairing national economies, wiping out livelihoods and basic services, and could undo years of efforts to stabilize West Africa, Director of UNDP?s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support Magdy Mart?nez-Solim?n said. As we work together to end the outbreak, now is the time to ensure these countries can also continue to function and swiftly get back on their feet, he added.
Here are some Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a contagious disease caused by infection with one of the four strains of the Ebola virus. The Ebola virus belongs to the family of Filoviridaeand the viral strains with potential for infection in humans areZaire, Bundibugyo, Tai Forest and Sudan virus. (Read: Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention)
The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the body fluids (semen, sweat, saliva and blood), infected objects (needles) and close skin contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through close contact with infected animals (handling the meat) and consumption of uncooked meat. (Read:10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
The symptoms of Ebola virus usually appear between 2 to 21 days after being infected with the virus. The early symptoms include high fever (greater than 38.6 C), headache, drop in blood pressure and stomach pain. Whereas late signs of Ebola infections which indicate medical emergency are sore throat, jaundice, skin rashes, bleeding and loss of appetite. Read more about Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ)
With inputs from PTI
Photo source: Getty images
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