Jeddah, KSA-03.11.2014: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) will hold a joint conference to mobilize the resources required for fighting Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola). The conference, which is the second of its type, will take place at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on Wednesday, November 5th, 2014. The countries affected by the Ebola epidemic as well as non-governmental and charitable organizations will be in attendance.

The OIC Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Iyad Ameen Madani, will inaugurate the conference and deliver the opening statement, while Dr. Ahmad Mohamad Ali, IDB President, will be among the speakers that will address the conference.

As contained in the working program, presentations are expected fromthe World Health Organization (WHO), Doctors Without Borders (MDF), and the affected Member States, Guinea and Sierra Leone, on the seriousness of Ebola and its expected effects. There will also be a discussion on the fulfillment of the needs and requirements and a session on undertakings and methods of resources collection and management.

This conference is a part of the OIC-IDB efforts to mobilize support for the Ebola-affected countries. The first meeting of Member States was held in Geneva on September 29th, 2014.

The OIC Member States and institutions fully comprehend their humanitarian responsibility in supporting the Ebola-affected countries during this affliction. Since the outbreak of Ebola early this year, the OIC and IDB have been working together to support the affected countries. The IDB has approved an emergency grant to back the efforts of Guinea, Sierra Leone and the international community to contain the disease. The IDB also support the Republic of Guinea to strengthen its health system in
order to fight Ebola.

The OIC and IDB call upon all Member States, non-governmental and charitable organizations and individual stakeholders to join the war against Ebola by committing resources and providing all necessary support to help the countries suffering the Ebola epidemic.