Leaders to UN: We need better crisis response after Ebola

United Nations, Feb 11: A trio of world leaders say the devastating Ebola outbreak exposed the "weakness" of international crisis response and is seeking a solution.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and Ghanaian President John Mahama have asked the UN secretary-general to create a high-level panel and commission a report on how the world can be faster and more coordinated in the face of disaster.

The letter, handed over to Ban Ki-moon yesterday, notes that Ebola cases have been dropping in all three of the worst-hit countries but says, "We cannot be complacent." The worst Ebola outbreak in world history has killed almost 9,000 people. The World Health Organization, the UN agency which has been criticized for its response, warns that challenges remain in bringing cases to zero.

AP