UN head renews appeal for Ebola fund

(Vatican Radio) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has launched another urgent appeal for funding in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus, which has killed more than 4 thousand five hundred people so far, primarily in the western African nations of  Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. In making the new appeal, Ban said that the dedicated $1billion trust fund launched in September has only received pledges of just $20 million, and realized just $100 thousand to date.

Donors have given almost $400 million directly to other UN agencies and aid organisations.

The Senior UN System Coordinator for Ebola Virus Disease, David Nabarro, explained that the dedicated fund has been established in order to provide necessary speed and flexibility in the response to the health crisis, which is ongoing, global in scope, and rapidly developing. “[The fund],” he said, “allows the areas of greatest need to be identified and funds to be directed accordingly.”