Brussels, 11 November 2015/ ACP: The ACP Group of States welcomes the decision by the World Health Organisation (WHO), announced on 7 November 2015, to declare the Republic of Sierra Leone, Ebola-free, and commends the Government and People of the Republic of Sierra Leone for their resilience under the existing national systems to stop the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the country.

The ACP Group reaffirms its solidarity with the People of the Republic Sierra Leone in their efforts to consolidate the gains made to manage future health epidemics, as well as in their progress to social and economic recovery, and will continue to give special attention to the enhancing of health systems in the Ebola affected countries as part of its 11th EDF Intra-ACP Development Cooperation Programmes. The ACP Secretary-General underlined the need to further support Sierra Leone in its efforts of dealing with around 4000 survivors who will require ongoing medical care and social support.

The ACP Group of States, further reiterates its call to the international community to support the post-Ebola social and economic reconstruction efforts of the most affected countries in West Africa (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone), in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular, addressing the Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages).