11th July, 2015
The international community has pledged more than five billion dollars, to support Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, in their efforts to recover from the devastating effects of Ebola.
Helen Clark, United Nations Development Programme Administrator, announced this on Friday night in New York.
She spoke after a high level United Nations Conference on Ebola, convened by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. Clark, who chaired the Conference, said: “We have seen a very encouraging response today.
“The preliminary figure for funds announced today amount to 3.4 billion dollars, taking the total resources pledged for the recovery of the Ebola-affected countries to around five billion dollars.
“The whole spirit of optimism around the conference and the willingness of partners to see this as a long-term endeavour is hugely encouraging,”
Also, Dr. David Nabarro, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Ebola, said: “This is a very promising moment.
“The amount pledged represents a tremendous springboard for recovery.
“Everyone today has stressed that the partnership we have for the response to the outbreak must be sustained into the period of recovery.
“The world is going to stand by these countries as they recover and help them get back on the track of equitable economic and social development.”
NAN reports that the UN organised the International Ebola Recovery Conference in partnership with the African Union, European Union, the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The conference was attended by the Chairperson of the African Union, the Presidents of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Secretary-General of the Mano River Union.