UN creates Ebola relief mission in Ghana

World Today

The United Nations has established a Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) in Ghana. The mission chief says the outbreak cannot be stopped without international assistance.

About 100 UNMEER staff will be based in the capital Accra, and many more will be deployed to Ebola-stricken countries. It has been about six month since the virus began to ravage West Africa, resulting in more than 3,000 deaths. There have also been warnings that thousands more deaths could follow.

West African Ebola Outbreak

Cases from March, 22 through Sept. 26, 2014. “Total cases” includes Nigeria, Senegal and the U.S., which as of publishing had 20 cases, one case and one case, respectively. Roll or mouse over chart for day-by-day data points.


Data: WHO

During a press conference, the head of UNMEER Anthony Banbury said that the mission will also travel to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to help set up medical treatment facilities. It will then transfer control of the facilities to local Nongovernment organizations or governments. UNMEER will also provide logistical support, such as fuel for vehicles transporting medical supplies.

“The rate of new infections is dramatic. It’s exponential, with the total number of infected people doubling every about three weeks. The number of deaths now is more from this crisis in the last six months than in the history of the world in the previous Ebola outbreak. The world has now recognized the grave threat that Ebola poses to the people of the three worst-affected countries, as well as to the sub-region and indeed the continent of Africa and the rest of the world.” – Anthony Banbury, Head of United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response.

CCTV America’s Katerina Vittozzi reports:

Follow Katerina Vittozzi on Twitter @kvittozzi

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