UN names senior Ebola coordinator for eastern DRC and releases CERF funds for response

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator designated Julian Harnesses (transcript spelling) as senior Ebola coordinator for the response in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, to be based in Bunya and to work with the inter-agency standing committee, WHO, national authorities and NGO partners to reinforce coordination and address operational challenges. The designation followed consultations with WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros, the spokesperson said.

UN partners delivered over 16 metric tons of medical supplies and established health screening facilities at Kinshasa international airport to strengthen surveillance. The spokesperson said $4 million was allocated from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to support the government's Ebola response; these funds are part of a $60 million surge allocation announced at the end of May and will support work across 29 districts, including areas hosting refugees, to deliver health and logistical assistance.

The UN resident coordinator Leonard Zulu and technical partners including WHO, IOM, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR are supporting screening, surveillance, community engagement and continuity of essential services, while WFP has delivered meals to patients, contacts in isolation and frontline health workers.