Key messages
A number of West African countries are experiencing the worst Ebola epidemic in history. As of 31 August over 3 707 people have been infected and more than 1 848 people have died in the five affected countries.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the epidemic a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), calling for a coordinated international response.
The situation continues to deteriorate rapidly and risks affecting the economies as well as the public order of the countries concerned.
The Ebola outbreak also generates secondary humanitarian needs, such as food, clean water and sanitation.The European Commission is seriously concerned by the continuing spread of the disease that is not yet under control. It has continuously scaled up its response since March 2014 and has pledged more than EUR 140 million in response to the crisis.
Humanitarian experts have been deployed in the region. They continuously monitor the situation and liaise with partners and local authorities. The European Commission is closely following the situation through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) that also serves as a platform for co-ordination of EU assistance.