Virus Disease kills more than 200 people every day.
Ki-moon made the statement on Thursday at a high-level meeting on Ebola in US.
Present at the meeting were President of the Republic of Guinea, Alpha
Conde, President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma and the Liberian
President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
The UN secretary-general called the world's attention to the ravaging
impact of the Ebola outbreak, saying that despite the "valiant efforts
of local communities, health systems are buckling under the strain."
"We come together today in solidarity with the people of Guinea,
Liberia and Sierra Leone as they face the largest and most deadly
Ebola outbreak the world has ever seen. Ebola is raging. It kills more
than 200 people a day, two thirds of them women. Despite the valiant
efforts of local communities, health systems are buckling under the
strain," Ki-moon said.
He also lamented the continue shutting of borders by neighbouring
nations against the countries worst-hit by the EVD outbreak. Ki-moon
noted that such approach only made the situation worse, isolating the
countries when they need help most.
Ki-moon, however said there was some encouraging news to report.
He said, "In some treatment centres, patients are receiving the care
they need. In several locations, community-based programmes are
yielding promising results. I want to pay special tribute to the
health workers on the frontlines. More than 300 have died after being
exposed to the virus.
"The Presidents of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have asked for our
help. The United Nations has outlined the critical resources that are
needed. There is overwhelming international political momentum for the
United Nations to play a leading role in coordinating the response. We
will play this role and meet this challenge.
"UN staff are eager to help. Within 24 hours of a call for staff to
deploy, we received 4,000 applications. Some staff are preparing to
depart over the weekend."
To stop the further spread of the virus, the UN peacekeeping mission
in Liberia, as well as all agencies, funds and programmes in the
affected region, have been providing assistance for months.
Further UN response, the UN boss told the gathering would be
spearheaded by the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency
Response, which will be led by his Special Representative, Anthony
Banbury.
The UNMEER advance teams have moved to the mission headquarters in
Ghana and to the three most affected countries in order to support
prevention efforts throughout the region.
He added, "Working with Governments, communities and the full spectrum
of international partners, we are focusing on stopping the outbreak,
treating the infected, providing essential services, preserving
stability and preventing outbreaks in non-affected countries.
"These five priorities spell out the word STEPP. Today it is time for
the international community to step up -and help Guinea, Liberia and
Sierra Leone continue on the path of development and stability."
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