The Holy See at International Ebola Recovery Conference and Technical Consultation
New York, 9-10 July 2015 Statement by H.E. Archbishop Bernardito Auza Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN, at International Ebola Recovery Conference and Technical Consultation – Commitment and solidarity in the fight against Ebola
Mr. / Madame President,
My delegation is pleased to
participate in this International Ebola Recovery Conference, which has
established the ambitious and vital aim of “getting to zero and staying at
zero”. Sadly, we recently witnessed the urgent need for such efforts when a new
death due to the Ebola Virus Disease was identified in Liberia, some forty-five
days after the country had been declared “Ebola Free”. Thus, this review and
planning exercise, as well as the generous pledging efforts in which we engage
today, must result in action-oriented commitments to overcome all risk of
complacency and to make tangible progress in the strengthening and preparedness
of health systems to avoid future outbreaks.
On numerous occasions, the Holy
See has expressed its close solidarity with those affected by this epidemic.
During his 2015 Address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See,
Pope Francis mentioned the sick who are so often cast aside and marginalized,
including, in particular, “the victims of the new and terrible outbreak of
Ebola … in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.” He appealed “to the entire
international community to provide adequate humanitarian assistance to patients
and to make concerted efforts to combat the disease.”1
Moreover, local Catholic
communities in the affected countries have been on the frontlines in the fight
against the epidemic and in providing support to the families of the victims.
These communities strongly opposed discrimination against those who recovered
from the illness and children who have been orphaned by the Ebola-related
deaths of their parents, while actively working for their reintegration into
their families and communities. They have also promoted safe and dignified
burial practices.
In close cooperation with the
Holy See, international Catholic organizations have raised funds and supplies
worth millions of dollars to assist the Catholic Church in the affected
countries. Pope Francis himself granted 500,000.00 Euros to advance a special
initiative. We continue to provide significant resources to Catholic
Church-related institutions in the three affected countries to enhance and
expand their programs.
As an expression of its
appreciation for the remarkable efforts of all to defeat Ebola, and as a gesture
of its continued solidarity with those affected by the epidemic, the Holy See pledges
the symbolic amount of US$ 20.000 to support national and regional recovery
strategies. More importantly, the Holy See wishes to reiterate its
determination to continue to work, through Catholic institutions in the
countries and areas affected by Ebola and its international humanitarian
network, towards the achievement of “getting to zero and staying at zero”.
In conclusion, I would like to
reiterate the appeal Pope Francis makes to the international community to exert
all necessary effort to defeat Ebola, effectively alleviating the hardships and
sufferings of all those affected.
Thank you, Mr,/Madame
President.
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1 Pope Francis, Address to the Members of
the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, 12 January 2015,
http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeche…