Travel ban for Unamid staff to Ebola-affected countries

The North Darfur State Ministry of Health and Unamid have agreed not to allow peacekeepers from Ebola-effected countries to return to their homeland for holidays. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently reported that Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia have laboratory confirmed cases of the highly contagious Ebola disease. Of these countries, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are contributing to the military and police staff of Unamid. The Secretary-General of North Darfur’s Health Ministry, Ali Ismail Yahya, told the Sudanese news agency SUNA on Sunday that the ban will be lifted “when a cure for the Ebola is found”. Unamid has been monitoring the Ebola outbreak in West Africa since its onset early 2014, and is coordinating its prevention measures with the WHO and other international bodies.  In a three-stage verification process, all Unamid staff travelling to and from West Africa have to undergo strict medical procedures with UN-certified medical staff, prior to their departure to West Africa, prior to their return to the Mission, and upon their return to the Mission. File photo: Peacekeepers from Nigeria patrolling at night at the Unamid team site in El Daein, capital of East Darfur (Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related: Sudan Ministry denies Ebola case in West Darfur (30 August 2014) Unamid takes precautions against Ebola (10 August 2014)