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Ebola crisis: No impact from pledges of help, MSF says Ebola crisis: No impact from pledges of help, MSF says
(35 minutes later)
International pledges of deployments and aid for Africa's Ebola-hit regions have not yet had any impact on the epidemic, a major medical charity says.International pledges of deployments and aid for Africa's Ebola-hit regions have not yet had any impact on the epidemic, a major medical charity says.
Christopher Stokes of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the disease was still out of control.Christopher Stokes of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the disease was still out of control.
He said it was "ridiculous" that volunteers working for his charity were bearing the brunt of care in the worst-affected countries.He said it was "ridiculous" that volunteers working for his charity were bearing the brunt of care in the worst-affected countries.
The disease has killed about 4,500 people so far, mostly in West Africa.The disease has killed about 4,500 people so far, mostly in West Africa.
MSF runs about 700 out of the 1,000 beds available in treatment facilities Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.MSF runs about 700 out of the 1,000 beds available in treatment facilities Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
The BBC's Mark Doyle, at the UN Ebola logistics base in Ghana, says it is generally agreed that at least three times that number are needed.The BBC's Mark Doyle, at the UN Ebola logistics base in Ghana, says it is generally agreed that at least three times that number are needed.
Donors have given almost $400m (£250m) to UN agencies and aid organisations, following an appeal launched in September for $988m.Donors have given almost $400m (£250m) to UN agencies and aid organisations, following an appeal launched in September for $988m.
Separately, the UN is seeking $1bn for an Ebola trust fund, to provide a flexible source of back-up money to contain Ebola.Separately, the UN is seeking $1bn for an Ebola trust fund, to provide a flexible source of back-up money to contain Ebola.
But UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday made another urgent appeal, saying the trust fund had received only $100,000 - from Colombia - though $20m has been pledged.But UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday made another urgent appeal, saying the trust fund had received only $100,000 - from Colombia - though $20m has been pledged.
Meanwhile, the WHO has announced that Senegal is now officially free of Ebola, as it has gone 42 days without any sign of the virus.Meanwhile, the WHO has announced that Senegal is now officially free of Ebola, as it has gone 42 days without any sign of the virus.
There was one confirmed case of Ebola in the country, in late August, and the patient survived.There was one confirmed case of Ebola in the country, in late August, and the patient survived.
Growing chorusGrowing chorus
Mr Stokes, who leads MSF's Ebola response, said promises from the international community were encouraging "but it is not having any significant impact on the epidemic and it won't now for maybe another month or month and a half".Mr Stokes, who leads MSF's Ebola response, said promises from the international community were encouraging "but it is not having any significant impact on the epidemic and it won't now for maybe another month or month and a half".
"We've been calling for massive deployments for several months now and the deployments are always behind the curve.""We've been calling for massive deployments for several months now and the deployments are always behind the curve."
Another NGO, Action Aid, said the outbreak had to be tackled at source in West Africa.Another NGO, Action Aid, said the outbreak had to be tackled at source in West Africa.
Its head of humanitarian response, Mike Noyes, said in a statement: "There remains an urgent demand in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone for more doctors, nurses, medical supplies and support for preventative measures. Its head of humanitarian response, Mike Noyes, said in a statement: "There remains an urgent demand in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone for more doctors, nurses, medical supplies and support for preventative measures."
"It is vital the world increase its efforts in fighting the disease."
Calls for more aid have also been made in recent days by US President Barack Obama, UK PM David Cameron, and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim.Calls for more aid have also been made in recent days by US President Barack Obama, UK PM David Cameron, and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim.
Questions have meanwhile again been raised about the World Health Organization's response to the outbreak this year.
AP news agency says it has obtained an internal draft document in which WHO officials acknowledge failing to appreciate the seriousness of the situation as the number of cases grew.
"Nearly everyone involved in the outbreak response failed to see some fairly plain writing on the wall," AP quotes from the document.
MSF warned last April that the spread of Ebola in West Africa was unprecedented and becoming uncontrollable - rejected at the time by the WHO.
In other developments:In other developments:
How not to catch Ebola:How not to catch Ebola:
Ebola basics: What you need to knowEbola basics: What you need to know
How Ebola attacksHow Ebola attacks
What virus has hit - in mapsWhat virus has hit - in maps
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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