UN calls for maintaining links with Ebola affected countries

, Oct 16: The UN Security Council on Wednesday urged member states to maintain trade and transport links with the

-affected countries to enable timely utilisation of assistant resources.

"The members of the Security Council stressed that the response of the international community to the Ebola outbreak has failed to adequately address the magnitude of the outbreak and its effects," Xinhua reported citing the council.

In this regard, the council also "strongly" urged airlines and shipping companies to follow the UN's call while applying appropriate health protocols.

On Oct 14, the UN body held a meeting on Ebola, during which the Sierra Leone permanent representative to the UN called on member states to re-examine their policies of isolating Ebola affected countries and their citizens.

It also expressed their concern about the effect of the trade and travel restrictions imposed on and to the affected countries as well as acts of discrimination against the nationals of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

IANS