Every hour counts to fight Ebola, says UN Deputy Secretary-General



"Every hour counts" in the fight against the Ebola disease outbreak in West Africa, according to the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Jan Eliasson on Friday was addressing the General Assembly on the public health crisis caused by the outbreak of the virus.
So far, close to 3900 people have died from Ebola, mainly in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Mr Eliasson said that while the UN has stepped up to play a coordinating role, no organization or country can do the work alone.

Ebola is an unforgiving and a frightening disease. But it can be defeated if we work together in solidarity and with effective coordination. Every hour counts, every contribution counts. The people of the world are watching, the people of West Africa, now to a great deal, depend on us.

The Deputy Secretary-General is calling for collective mobilization.

He said a contribution from Member States within days is more important than a large contribution within weeks.

SOURCE: Stephanie Coutrix, United Nations.