ebola

The World Bank and the IMF must seize their early chance in what could be a watershed year to end extreme global poverty by putting the battle against inequality, climate change and tax dodging at the very top of its Spring Meetings’ agenda this week. 

The over emphasis on an almost exclusive medical approach at the start of the Ebola crisis hampered progress against the disease, according to Oxfam.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and international agency Oxfam today called on donors and others to join forces to support the government’s $60m appeal to upgrade Liberian schools with water and sanitation facilities as thousands of children across the country return to school for the first time in six months. 

This report provides detailed evidence and data on the current needs for services and investment. It is intended to strengthen the case for donors to prioritize investment in WASH in schools when considering the range of options to support Ebola-affected countries.

The decline in new Ebola cases is good news and it makes sense for President Obama to withdraw US troops, but the fight's not over yet. We must stay vigilant and support people in affected countries until West Africa reaches zero new cases.

Nicolas Mombrial, Head of Oxfam’s Washington Office, said: “The IMF’s move will provide welcome relief to countries whose economies have been devastated by Ebola. But the IMF's step is not enough on its own – it needs to be the start of concerted global effort to help these countries."

International agency Oxfam today called for a multi-million dollar post-Ebola ‘Marshall Plan’ to put the three West Africa countries hit by the crisis back on their feet. 

 Oxfam's Ebola Response Lead Vincent Koch, said: "We are winning many battles against Ebola but beds, billboards and burials alone will not bring an end to crisis."

Sierra Leone has declared a public health state of emergency in a bid to contain the spread of Ebola, including imposing quarantines. An effective quarantine strategy provides a means of mitigating the spread of Ebola and saving lives, but only when implemented correctly