The incoming EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has been appointed EU Ebola Response Coordinator by the European Council. Assisted by the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), his role will be to help reinforce the European response to the Ebola crisis. To do so, he will work closely with all EU institutions, Member States, the UN and other international partners.
Background
The current Ebola outbreak is affecting the West Africa region: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. As of 19 October, there have been more than 9 936 reported cases, including 4 877 deaths from the disease, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The disease has already claimed the lives of more than 240 health workers.
As of 23 October, the European Union has contributed over €800 million in financial assistance to the fight against the epidemic. This includes funding from the European Commission (more than €200 million) and Member States. The Commission is active with financial aid, experts on the ground, support to the local authorities, reinforcement of national health infrastructures, coordination for the delivery of supplies and medical evacuations.
The Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has been monitoring developments since the outbreak started in March. An EU Ebola Task Force has been set up, bringing together Member States, Commission services, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and representatives of the UN and NGOs. The Task Force meets daily in the ERCC, which serves as a platform for coordination of the European response.