UN Declares Ebola Outbreak 'Threat To Peace And Security'

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council has declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a threat to peace and security, with UN chief Ban Ki-moon deciding to deploy an "unprecedented" emergency health mission to combat the outbreak that has impacted the lives of millions.

In his remarks to the Security Council yesterday, Ban said despite wide-ranging efforts, the spread of the disease is "outpacing" the response.

"No single government can manage the crisis on its own. The United Nations cannot do it alone. This unprecedented situation requires unprecedented steps to save lives and safeguard peace security. I have decided to establish a UN emergency health mission, combining the World Health Organisation's strategic perspective with a very strong logistics and operational capability," he said in the Security Council's first emergency meeting on a public health crisis.

The international mission will be known as the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, or UNMEER and would have five priorities of stopping the outbreak, treating the infected, ensuring essential services, preserving stability and preventing further outbreaks.

Under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, it will bring together the full range of UN actors and expertise in support of national efforts.

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