UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER)

UNMEER, the first-ever UN emergency health mission, was established on 19 September 2014 and closed on 31 July 2015, having achieved its core objective of scaling up the response on the ground.

The Mission achieved its core objective of scaling up the response on the ground and establishing unity of purpose among responders in support of the nationally led efforts. As of 1 August, oversight of the UN system’s Ebola emergency response is led by the World Health Organization (WHO), under the direct authority of the WHO Director-General. UN agencies, funds and programmes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN Mission in Liberia and national and international partners have undertaken the necessary steps, to enable this seamless transition.

The Ebola Crisis Managers remain in the countries under the oversight of WHO and with the support of the UN Resident Coordinators and UN country teams. In Liberia, the high-level UN leadership for the Ebola emergency response is provided by the Deputy Special Representative and Resident Coordinator, with the support of the UN country team. The Special Envoy on Ebola continues to provide strategic guidance for the response.

In a statement on 31 July the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said 'the United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the Governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in getting to and staying at zero cases'.

UNMEER, was established on 19 September 2014 after the unanimous adoption of General Assembly resolution 69/1, and the adoption of Security Council resolution 2177 (2014) on the Ebola outbreak. UNMEER was set up as a temporary measure to meet immediate needs related to the unprecedented fight against Ebola. The Mission deployed financial, logistical and human resources to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to support the push to zero cases:

Operational principles

Adopting a regional approach
Centrality of national ownership
Complement work of governments and partners
Clarity for national governments in what can be expected from the UN
A singular UN system-wide approach in responding to Ebola
A UN response that is specific to the need of each country

Objectives

Stop the outbreak
Treat the infected
Ensure essential services
Preserve stability
Prevent further outbreaks

Main activities

Case management
Case finding, lab and contact tracing
Safe and dignified burials
Community engagement and social mobilization

Key enablers

Logistics
Staffing and human resources
Training
Information management
Cash payments and coordination

Head of Mission

Peter Jan Graaff was the Acting Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER).