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I thank the US Presidency of the Security Council for organizing this emergency debate on the unprecedented outbreak of Ebola which has so far affected some 5000 people and claimed nearly 2500 deaths. Lithuania aligns itself with the statement to be made on behalf of the EU. My delegation commends the leadership of the UN Secretary General and UN's quick and focused response to the crisis, including the plans to set up an on-the-ground mission to coordinate the international community’s response to Ebola outbreak.

We express our full support to the senior UN system coordinator for Ebola Dr. David Nabarro and the Deputy Ebola Coordinator and Operation Crisis Manager Anthony Banbury. We also thank the Director General of the World Health Organization Dr. Margaret Chan for her briefing today and for the efforts WHO is taking to address the spread of Ebola.

Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and the patients, as well as with all the courageous and dedicated doctors and healthcare workers who, at a risk to their own lives, have been doing all within their power to stop the further spread of the disease.

The economic, social and security implications of this health crisis will fall heavily on the countries concerned. The exponential outbreak of Ebola has struck countries which have only recently come out of devastating conflicts, threatening to cripple their economies, instill fear and tear apart the fragile social fabric, canceling the gains of a peaceful development. Fear spreads like fire. We saw already how panic and violence flared up in Liberia in mid-August. In the current context, planned UNMIL’s drawdown should proceed with all due concern to the facts on the ground.

This Ebola outbreak is a test of international solidarity and our readiness to respond to unconventional threats which, if unchecked, can be as devastating as any conflict, with far reaching consequences. Coordinated and vigorous actions by the international community are urgently needed. As Secretary General has noted, “Every day we delay, the cost and the suffering will grow exponentially.”

We commend UNMIL’s efforts on the ground, including communicating information to the Liberian public on the safety and health protocols and other measures for preventing the transmission of Ebola. Clear, accurate and effective public communication on prevention measures and well-coordinated preventive actions are of utmost priority. It warms my heart to know that there's a modest Lithuanian footprint in UNMIL as it carries the vital work of helping a country stricken by such an unprecedented outbreak.

My delegation welcomes the strong political commitment to combat Ebola outbreak expressed by the Heads of State of the Mano River Union - Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - at the Extraordinary Summit held in Guinea on 1 August 2014. We also commend the commitment of the African Union, whose PSC recently authorised  its first ever humanitarian mission to the region, and ECOWAS for their efforts in  combatting the further spread of this deadly disease.

On its part, the European Union is working on a comprehensive EU response to the Ebola epidemic and has already pledged some 149 million EUR of funding for West African countries  affected by  Ebola virus.

Madam President,

Over the recent years, the people of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea have gone through conflict and tragedy which have left multiple human scars that will take time to fully recover. We must all work together to ensure that the response of the international community and the UN system is prompt, focused, and lasting enough to stop the spread of the disease and keep the hard-won gains of those nations. We commend the efforts and contributions by various countries, including members of this Council. Discussions on our national contribution are being finalized as we speak.

My delegation supports the Resolution on Ebola Outbreak as proposed by the US and is happy to see a strong co-sponsorship of the text. I thank you.