The 2014 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa is the longest, largest, deadliest, and the most complex in history, says a latest report by the U.N. Development Group (UNDG) on the socioeconomic impact of Ebola in the African sub-region.
As of Feb. 11, 2015, there were about 22,859 Ebola cases and a total of 9,162 deaths, according to the report.
The annual Conference of African Ministers of Planning, Economy and Finance jointly organized by the African Union (AU) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was held in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa from March 25-31. On the sideline of the AU-ECA meeting, a session was convened to deliberate on Ebola under the theme, "Ebola: Towards the Recovery of the Most Affected Countries."
Chairing the meeting, Matshidiso Rebcca Moeti, WHO director for Africa, emphasized the need to have continued support from the international community until the epidemic is defeated.
She also said that the countries should be supported in their endeavors towards recovery and rebuilding future resilience.
"First of all, the countries are determined to get to zero. We have to stop the epidemic and we would like the support to continue until we reach that," she said.
By Ruchi Singh