25th September, 2014
By Simon Ateba
The United States Government has named Ambassador Nancy Powell to lead the Ebola Coordination Unit at the Department of State, a statement said on Thursday.
Powell will lead the State Department’s outreach to international partners, including foreign governments, to ensure a speedy and truly global response to this crisis.
“Ambassador Powell, working with leaders from across our government, is leading our efforts to build the coalition required to bring this epidemic under control,” said the State Department.
The worst Ebola outbreak in history has killed more than 2500 people in West Africa and President Obama has declared the disease a national security priority.
The United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said up to 1.4 million people could be affected if the current spread was sustained.
On 16 September, Obama outlined the US Government’s four goal strategy in tackling Ebola.
Apart from controlling the epidemic at its source in West Africa and mitigating second-order impacts, including blunting the economic, social, and political tolls in the region, he said his administration will also be engaging and coordinating with a broader global audience as well as fortifying global health security infrastructure in the region and beyond.
He emphasised the need for more nations to contribute experienced personnel, supplies and funding.
Powell, who most recently served as US Ambassador to India. She was the Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources.
She had previously served as the State Department’s Senior Coordinator for Avian Influenza, a role for which she was honoured with the Homeland Security Service to America Medal in 2006.