- The present letter on the work of the United Nations in response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa covers developments from 1 to 31 July 2015, the 300-day mark since the establishment of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). It records activities carried out by my Special Envoy on Ebola and UNMEER and provides an update on progress made in the Ebola response pursuant to General Assembly resolution 69/1 since my letter of 24 July 2015 (A/69/992).
Way forward
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The people and nations affected by Ebola looked to the United Nations system for support and assistance in the face of the outbreak. A number of United Nations system entities have offered sustained support in responding to the outbreak, supporting the restoration of essential services and recovery efforts and building preparedness in the region. They have done so under the stewardship of national leaders, engaging with local communities and supporting local and national response efforts. They have coordinated closely with national and international non-governmental organizations, regional organizations and the assistance, operations and medical teams deployed by foreign Governments.
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On 17 September 2014, at the height of the Ebola crisis, I wrote to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council, indicating that I intended to establish the first-ever United Nations emergency health mission to harness the capabilities of all the relevant United Nations actors under one crisis management system to reinforce unity of purpose among responders and to ensure a rapid and effective response to the crisis (see A/69/389-S/2014/679). My decision, which followed a joint request from the Presidents of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for the United Nations to coordinate international support to nationally led response efforts, was heralded by the international community. UNMEER was established on 19 September 2014 following the adoption by the General Assembly of resolution 69/1.