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STATEMENT BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR HUSSEIN HANIFF

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

 

AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE

UNDER THE AGENDA ITEM:

PEACE AND SECURITY IN AFRICA: THE EBOLA OUTBREAK

 

18 SEPTEMBER 2014,  NEW YORK

 

Madame President,

 

I wish to take this opportunity to thank you and the United States for the convening of this debate. I also wish to thank H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the UN, Dr. David Nabarro, Senior UN System Coordinator for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Mr. Jackson Niamah, the Representative of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for their briefings.

 

2.            Let me begin by extending my delegation’s deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who have perished in the Ebola outbreak. Malaysia pays tribute to the many brave doctors and healthcare-workers engaged in the tireless effort to counter this deadly disease.

 

Madame President,

 

3.            The scale of the Ebola outbreak is unprecedented. The situation is worsening as the deadly disease transcends national borders, with profound impacts on socio-economic activity and the security situation of the affected countries. The challenges posed by the outbreak would be overwhelming for any single country to cope with alone. The health crisis constitutes a global threat that would require a global response.

 

4.            Malaysia commends the contribution and pledges by various countries to fight the pandemic. However, action taken so far is insufficient. More is needed to be done by the international community to reverse the situation. The Open Debate today is timely as we take further action to address the crisis.

 

5.            Malaysia is also concerned that the outbreak could potentially reverse the peacebuilding gains achieved in the three countries that are on the Peacebuilding Agenda, namely Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Republic of Guinea. In their hour of need, we must not abandon or isolate the affected countries. My delegation concurs with the briefers that we must work together to coordinate and mobilise resources to ensure adequate humanitarian response on the grounds and to combat the outbreak effectively.

 

6.            At this juncture, it is crucial to ensure that support to the affected countries is coordinated and sustained at the international level. It is also important for all UN Agencies to stay proactive, coordinated and flexible in responding to the unparalleled challenges posed by this deadly epidemic.

 

Madame President,

 

7.            Earlier this week, Malaysia has responded to the call for international contribution, particularly in response to the testimonies by medical authorities which identified the shortage of medical rubber gloves as a problem in combating the outbreak. On 15 September 2014, the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak has handed over the consignment of 20.9 million medical rubber gloves in 11 containers, to be distributed to the affected countries. Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea will receive three containers of the medical gloves respectively, each container carrying 1.9 million medical gloves. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria will receive one container respectively. The medical rubber gloves will be transported from Malaysia to the respective main ports of each country as soon as possible.

 

8.            Malaysia sincerely hopes that this modest contribution will help prevent the spread of Ebola and save lives. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to see how we can further support the affected countries, whether in the immediate or longer term.

 

9.            In concluding, my delegation welcomes the outcome of this debate in the form of a Security Council resolution, which Malaysia co-sponsored. I wish to assure you of Malaysia’s fullest support and cooperation to work closely with all partners in combating the Ebola outbreak.  

 

I thank you, Madame President.