UN begs Bono to help with Ebola fight

 
Mobilise: UN chief Ban Ki-moon today appealed to Bono and other superstars to help the battle against Ebola

UN chief Ban Ki-moon today appealed to Bono and other superstars to mobilise the world in the battle against Ebola.

The United Nations Secretary-General issued the plea as he struggled to raise $1 billion from world governments to tackle the killer virus in West Africa.

A trust fund to provide fast and flexible finance for crisis-hit countries has received just $100,000, though a further $20 million had been pledged. The wider appeal has had promises of $376 million.

“Ebola is a huge and urgent global problem that demands a huge and urgent global response,” Mr Ban said. He praised a number of countries including Britain, America, China, France and Germany for “showing their solidarity” but urged the world to do more.

The UN boss also called for greater public support and backed the idea of a fundraising concert — such as Live Aid, which raised tens of millions to fight famine in Africa in the Eighties — promoted by someone such as U2 singer Bono. He said: “I would welcome any initiative taken by Mr Bono or some other leaders around the world to join this campaign to mobilise funds and mobilise awareness to take urgent action.”

Overseas Aid Secretary Justine Greening backed the UN’s appeal for more help for Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, where more than 4,000 people have died from Ebola. She said: “The international community now needs to wake up to this crisis.”

The World Health Organisation says there could be between 5,000 and 10,000 new cases a week by early December unless urgent action is taken.

David Cameron used an Asia-Europe summit in Milan today to push for more aid for Ebola-stricken nations, stressing tackling the virus at source was the best way to stop it spreading.

UK pharmaceuticals firm GlaxoSmithKline is trying to fast-track a vaccine for Ebola. But it will come too late for the current epidemic.

The Royal Navy medical ship RFA Argus was sailing from Falmouth today to join the humanitarian effort, with 380 personnel on board including 80 Royal Marines and 80 medics. The ship will provide healthcare to military and healthcare personnel — but not local Ebola victims — and use its Merlin helicopters to deliver supplies.

President Barack Obama has authorised calling up reserve and National Guard troops to help fight the disease in west Africa.

The US has faced criticism after Amber Joy Vinson, a nurse with Ebola, was allowed to board a flight from Ohio to Texas despite telling officials she had a low fever.

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