World Health Organization Committee
Ebola
Turkey
Komal Patel
Forest Hills Eastern
The Ebola Virus Disease is a virus that attacks the immune and vascular systems, and can cause death between 6 and 16 days after the onset of symptoms. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and blood hemorrhaging are some of many flu-like symptoms caused by Ebola. Presently, there is no cure or drug for this lethal virus, but scientists are constantly working to develop effective treatment methods. Ebola can cause economic concerns such as high unemployment, loss of money due to aiding other countries, less trade and transportation, and reduced tourism. Currently, contract tracing is required by WHO to identify and monitor anyone who may be in contact with the virus, in order to be safely secluded if symptoms worsen. The disease is the most common and still outgoing mostly in Central and Western Africa and spread to other countries like Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Currently, WHO “detects outbreaks, and reacts by supporting community engagement, disease detection, contact tracing, vaccination, case management, laboratory services, infection control, logistics, and training and assistance with safe and dignified burial practices” (who.int). The UN has also provided curriculum for multiple partners on training for “case management, contract tracing, safe burials, and work with partners to train people in the classroom and in stimulation” (who.int).
Although the Ebola Virus Disease is not an issue in Turkey, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry alerted its citizens to show utmost care when travelling to Ebola affected African countries and other regional countries. Since the Ebola outbreak started, Turkey “has been extending their support and assistance for the struggle against the epidemic through bilateral and multilateral channels” (mfa.gov.tr). As of January 2015, more than 2.5 million Turkish Liras were spent on medical supplies for hard hit countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia who were directly hit. Turkish ambassador Yavuzalp spoke on this saying, “The main aim [of the donation] is the three most affected countries. These are brotherly countries to us like all other African countries and we want to do our share so that the Ebola outbreak in Africa is eradicated and people are no longer losing their lives” (hurriyetdailynews.com). Turkey will continue to contribute medical aid to EVD infected countries while maintaining its assistance to the emergency aid efforts to fight the Ebola outbreak at the bilateral and multilateral levels. They intend to overcome the negative impacts of the outbreak on the mid-term and long-term development efforts of the region. The Turkish government is also extending our support for affected African countries by providing medical aid materials and supplies.
Turkey can urge our citizens to take great measures into being aware when traveling to African countries. To prevent all travellers to African countries from falling ill, Turkey proposes to provide more accessible vaccinations for everyone in the country to secure a safe trip. Turkey has been providing medical supplies to ebola hit countries and we urge other countries to do the same so we can deteriorate the growing spread of the Ebola Virus Disease. Research centers can be developed in the country to further improve the UN’s work on finding a cure for the threatening and spreading virus. The UN has taken precautions against a potential outbreak and although there is no travel ban on ebola infected countries, they could encourage the country’s citizens to avoid crowded places, to not eat meat, and especially to pay greater attention to their hygiene.
- Komal Patel