Special Appeal: Support Ebola Emergency Response

(New York, 16 September 2014) – Below is the text of a letter sent electronically to all Global Compact business participants on 16 September from Georg Kell, Executive Director, UN Global Compact:

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has caused over 2,000 deaths in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Transmission of the virus is intensifying in many affected areas, and the fatality rate of the current outbreak is estimated at between 60 and 70%. The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are increasing efforts to stop transmission of Ebola in West Africa and prevent further international spread of the virus. As part of a Global Response Strategy, greater international assistance will be critical to stopping the spread of Ebola. The global business community has an important role to play.

UN Global Compact participants wishing to support immediate relief efforts can make a financial contribution to the UN Central Emergencies Response Fund.

Make a financial contribution to the UN Central Emergencies Response Fund

In addition to encouraging financial support for relief efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) stresses the importance of maintaining business continuity and economic activity in Ebola-affected countries. Airlines and shipping companies are urged to maintain transport links in affected countries to ensure continued flow of aid and medical resources and personnel. Isolating affected countries risks causing more harm and delaying efforts to stop the Ebola virus, rather than preventing its spread.

The UN Global Compact is working closely with the UN System Coordinator for Ebola Response and other partners to match the needs of UN organizations with the resources of the private sector. As relief efforts intensify in the days ahead, specific operational and in-kind needs will be shared with companies at business.un.org, the UN-Business partnership platform designed to connect UN needs with private sector resources and capacities, including in emergencies.

For more information on the Ebola response and how to help, please contact us.

Contacts

Angus Rennie
UN-Business Partnerships
UN Global Compact
rennie@unglobalcompact.org

Ms. Olajobi Makinwa
Africa Representative
UN Global Compact
makinwa@un.org