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New York — U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Ambassador David B. Dunn, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs
Remarks on the Ebola 120-Day Mark Progress Report
Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting. I also would like to thank the Secretary-General for his remarks and the distinguished briefers for their wise words this morning.
We thank the governments of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and all the partners for their tremendous, dedicated efforts, and fruitful efforts which are a shining example of how together we can confront major global challenges. Support for the long term stability of the affected countries is vital to the region, the continent, and the world.
Mr. President, the United States remains cautiously optimistic that we remain on course to end the outbreak. We believe as well that this is precisely the right time to begin the next phase of the UN's response to Ebola - transitioning UNMEER, which was created as a short-term solution to combat the virus until the UN system was better equipped to respond to the rapid transmission of this disease. Transition planning and preparations must begin now in order to complement the surge planning taking place for the impending rainy season, when we know diseases such as malaria will compound the situation.
While progress continues to be achieved, significant challenges still stand in our path to success. Some communities remain reticent, and adequate surveillance and response capacities are not yet fully in place. We are especially concerned by recent reports citing lack of links between patients and contact tracing lists, as well as attacks against healthcare workers. It is incumbent upon all of us to maintain our sense of urgency and not allow complacency a seat at the table. This is a theme that should be highlighted in our public messaging.
As you may be aware, my government has begun to transition its presence in the region. This transition in no way indicates a lessening of US support and attention to ending the outbreak and rebuilding the affected countries. President Obama has been adamant about this - we will get to zero cases.
We also should draw from the lessons learned from this effort, so that the next time the world is faced with a complex medical-humanitarian crisis, the UN architecture and international community is better prepared. To that end, the US supports the UN's internal review of the response and the lessons learned effort requested by Germany, Norway, and Ghana.
We are encouraged by recovery planning, including the early recovery assessment findings, and look forward to being a part of upcoming discussions regarding how we together can meaningfully regain development ground lost as a result of this devastating virus. Thank you.