UN representative: Cost of Ebola outbreak in Africa reaches $6.3 billion

Damien Mama, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, announced that the cost of the Ebola outbreak in Africa has reached $6.3 billion.

Mama pointed out that the epidemic could have severe consequences not only in the health sector but also in economic and social life. The statement warned that Ebola could lead to hundreds of thousands of job losses and that this could turn into a broader development crisis for the region.

Stating that the epidemic could be brought under control if the necessary resources are provided and swift action is taken, Damien Mama said, "If we have the necessary resources and take action, we can bring this epidemic under control and prevent further losses."

Mama expressed that otherwise, the health emergency carries the risk of turning into a deeper and more prolonged development crisis across the region and potentially on a continental scale.

While the cost was stated as $3.6 billion in the headline of the agency text, the figure provided by the UN representative in the explanation section was stated as $6.3 billion.

News Source: 12punto