Travel Ban over Ebola Should be Lifted — AU

Addis Ababa (PNA/Xinhua) — The African Union (AU) has agreed at an emergency meeting that countries should lift travel ban over the Ebola outbreak, but underlined the need to put appropriate measures to protect and contain the spread of the Ebola virus.

The AU Executive Council on Monday convened an emergency meeting at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to consolidate collective continental efforts against Ebola.

Ebola has affected West African countries.

The AU said in a statement ahead of the meeting that the Executive Council would deliberate on issues related to the suspension of flights, and maritime and border closures, as well as stigmatization of the affected countries and their nationals.

“Concern has been raised by some countries that such measures could have serious socioeconomic and cultural effects, and could ultimately lead to increased suffering of people in the affected countries,” said the AU.

Speaking to the press at the conclusion of the emergency meeting, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the AU Commission, said it was agreed at the meeting that countries should lift travel ban to allow people to move between AU member states.

“It was agreed that countries should lift travel ban and allow people to move between our member states and trade to happen, but put proper measure for screening,” said the chairperson.

She stated that the meeting has called for support and solidarity from the international community and member states for the countries affected by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the emergency meeting, Dlamini-Zuma underlined to act together in assisting those affected by Ebola.

While understanding the need to protect citizens from the virus, the chairperson warned against responses that fuel isolation or lead to stigmatization of victims, communities and countries.

The chairperson called on African media, civil society, artists and cultural workers, political parties, sports and faith based organizations to work with governments, the Regional economic communities (RECs) and the AU, to get accurate and clear messages out, as part of a public health campaign, to inform and educate African citizens on the transmission of the disease, care for the affected, and burial of the dead.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) confirmed that Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia are likely to experience several points GDP reduction due to disruptions in key sectors such as mining, agriculture, domestic and cross border trade, air travel, investments, and diversion of public funds to fight the epidemic among others.

Expressing his solidarity with the AU message, Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA urged African people to fight the “hysteria” often exhibited in times of crisis such as this.

“This time around, instead of succumbing to it, Africans need to fight back”, he urged.

African Development Bank (AfDB) Deputy President, Geraldine Fraser Moleketi, also emphasized the socioeconomic impact that Ebola is expected to have.

“The economic and social impact will affect many more lives and will increase the longer the epidemic continues”, she said.

Ebola has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization.

At continental level, the AU is to soon deploy a humanitarian mission, the AU Response to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA), which will provide medical support to affected member states in their ongoing responses to alleviate/mitigate, eradicate the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in the affected areas, said the AU in a statement.

An evaluation mission from the AU Commission has just returned from the affected countries, said the statement.

As part of the ASEOWA mission, the AU Commission has also designed a communication strategy to enable media to provide correct information in a timely manner so as to destroy misconceptions that undermine public health efforts, it added. (PNA/Xinhua) JBP/JSD