UNDP bureau wants Ebola transmission halted

The UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP Bureau for  Policy and Programme Support, Magdy Martínez-Solimán, has emphasized the need to stop the transmission of the Ebola Virus Disease as the devastating health crisis is destroying and undermining economies of West Africa.

Mr. Solimán said as the global efforts to contain the virus continue, UNDP is drawing up programs focusing on early recovery of the economies and governance structures of countries impacted by the virus.

Speaking in an interview with the United Nations Mission Radio at the end of a three-day visit to Liberia, the UNDP Regional Bureau Official hailed ongoing efforts by the Government and the international community to respond to the fight against Ebola, pledging UNDP’s commitment to continue its support to efforts being made to contain the disease.

He called for greater awareness among the population on what to do when a case of Ebola is detected in communities.  “I’ve seen firsthand the efforts being deployed in parts of the country to strengthen and multiply treatment facilities like the ETUs” says the Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support.

He said the visit was part of a 10-day mission to Ebola affected countries which began in Guinea, to assess the situation, adding that while in Liberia, the delegation held discussions with the Vice President of Liberia, the UN Country Team, the Incident Management Team on Ebola and other national actors to further identify areas for increased support to stop the spread of the disease.

During the three-day visit, UNDP Regional Bureau delegation which also included its Deputy Director Ruby Sandhu Sojon, also toured a 200-bed Ebola Treatment Center currently under construction at the abandoned Ministry of Defense facility in Congo Town in Monrovia.

WHO Water and Sanitation Coordinator and ETU Supervisor Christophe Valingot informed the UNDP officials that the facility will help reduce the number of Ebola suspected patients around Monrovia and its environs. Mr. Valingot said the equipment for the construction of a permanent liquid wastes management plant is also expected in the country to manage waste at the unit.