HIGHLIGHTS
U.N. announces progress against key EVD indicators; cautions that as some geographic areas have experienced significant improvements in the EVD situation, others have seen the rapid acceleration of EVD transmission.
A World Bank report indicates that the EVD outbreak is significantly affecting the economies of Liberia,
Sierra Leone, and Guinea. The World Bank President stresses that the human and economic impact will become more devastating as the outbreak continues.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
At a December 1 press conference marking the first 60 days of the U.N. Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNMEER Anthony Banbury reported that the extraordinary response to the EVD outbreak in West Africa is beginning to show results. SRSG Banbury reported that the 70 percent targets announced in October—to isolate and provide treatment to 70 percent of EVD cases and perform safe burials for 70 percent of EVD-related deaths—are being met in the vast majority of areas in the three worst-affected countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. He noted, however, that there are many areas where the targets are not being met, including in Sierra Leone’s capital of Freetown. U.N. Special Envoy for Ebola Dr. David Nabarro added that EVD transmission is slowing in some districts while increasing in others, stressing that the global response must continue to be flexible and adapt to the needs on the ground.
At the UNMEER press conference, SRSG Banbury also noted that UNMEER and its partners would begin applying a district-by-district approach in 62 districts in the three mostaffected countries in an effort to tailor EVD interventions to the specific needs and challenges of each area. Mr. Banbury expressed confidence that in another 60 days all three acutely affected countries would be in a better position to fight EVD than they are today.