- Key messages
• Since April 2014, the Ebola virus has been reported in five countries in West Africa – Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal.
• So far there have been 4,963 reported cases and 2,453 deaths.
• On 16 September the UN released an Overview of Needs and Requirements for the Ebola outbreak, estimating that there are 22 million people in need, requiring US$988 million in assistance.
• As of mid-September, US$265 million in humanitarian assistance has been contributed to the Ebola outbreak, and US$85 million pledged.
• The largest proportion of commitments/contributions, 37% or US$98 million, have been reported as allocated to the affected ‘region’, followed by to Liberia, 30% or US$79 million.
• In September 2014 the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) revised two emergency appeals for Liberia and Sierra Leone, requesting US$9 million and US$14 million respectively.
• The US has confirmed that 3,000 military personnel will be deployed in West Africa; the UK will provide military and humanitarian experts and Cuba will send 165 trained medical staff to Liberia.