Bolder EU response needed to help stop Ebola spiralling out of control

Today EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg to agree a joint EU response to combat the spread of the Ebola virus. 

In response to the meeting, Natalia Alonso, Oxfam’s Deputy Director of Advocacy & Campaigns, said: 

“Today’s push for greater European coordination on Ebola is good news, but what’s required is concrete action - more doctors, equipment and troops on the ground are desperately needed.

“The Ministers called to boost the EU’s capacity to evacuate aid workers and health staff, but failed to make the commitments necessary to ensure the people working to save lives can be deployed and returned home.

“The narrow window of opportunity to prevent Ebola spiralling out of control in West Africa, and potentially beyond, is closing. EU Heads of State, meeting in Brussels later this week, must take bolder action to help stop this terrible disease.
 
“The unprecedented scale of this crisis requires military deployment to give rapid logistical support to the humanitarian response. The EU must follow the US and UK example and urgently commit to put boots on the ground."