"The UK will play its part, working with you to end the scourge of ebola that ultimately threatens us all here today"
Statement by UK Minister James Duddridge to the UN Secretary-General’s meeting on the Ebola Crisis
I thank the Secretary General for calling this meeting today.
We very much welcome the establishment of the United Nations Mission on Ebola Emergency Response.
As we race to halt this outbreak, the United Kingdom stands ready to work with the Mission to ensure that our combined efforts are directed where they are needed most and avoid duplication.
Our efforts are focussed on the situation particularly in Sierra Leone, where we are working closely in partnership with the country there.
We all need to dig deep to fund the world’s reaction.
For our part the UK is funding to the tune of $160 million dollars.
This will fund 700 very special ebola treatment beds. British military engineers and health professionals have already started work on a 92-bed health centre in Freetown and this includes a high-end facility providing a standard of care for international health workers that is the same as if they would be treated in the United Kingdom.
This should give these vital personnel the confidence they need to deploy to the area.
But we need international help both to run these new treatment facilities, and to scale up our efforts to the point we can turn the tide against the epidemic.
There is no time to lose, and that is why the UK’s Foreign Secretary will host an international conference on ebola particularly on Sierra Leone, in London on the 2nd of October – together with the UK Development Secretary, Justine Greening and President Koroma of Sierra Leone.
The conference will aim to maintain the momentum generated here today.
We will use it to discuss innovative approaches to reducing the spread of the virus at community level.
We must muster international support for our efforts in Sierra Leone, particularly we need offers of people, offers of equipment and offers of logistics to help staff and run the ebola care facilities.
And we will find ways to work more closely with the private sector and civil society.
And I and the British Government very much hope that those here present today will participate in that effort.
If we do not contain this crisis, by the hour, every hour, it will be harder to contain the crisis going forward.
The United Kingdom will play its part, working with you to end the scourge of ebola that ultimately threatens us all here today.