UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Published purpose

August 2015 - On August 8, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa a public health emergency of international concern. A total of over 27,800 confirmed EVD cases have been reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone with 11,281 deaths. The outbreak has been unprecedented in terms of its scale, geographic reach, humanitarian impact, as well as its social and economic repercussions. Although the number of new cases has decreased substantially since their peak in late 2014, a sustained focus on the emergency response remains crucial in order to avoid a resurgence of the virus. With DFATD’s support, the Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund is helping United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations to address immediate priorities and gaps in the response to the Ebola outbreak. Project activities aim to: (1) stop the spread of the disease; (2) treat infected people and survivors; (3) ensure continuity of essential services such as basic health, food and nutrition, water, and hygiene and sanitation; and (4) support preparedness efforts in other countries.