Obama announces withdrawal of troops fighting Ebola in West Africa

Washington: US President Barack Obama has announced the withdrawal of all but 100 American troops deployed in West Africa to fight the Ebola epidemic, ending a 10-month mission. “I’m announcing that by April 30, all but 100 who will remain to help support the ongoing response, will also be able to come home - not because the job is done, but because they were so effective in setting up the infrastructure that we are now equipped to deal with the job that needs to be done in West Africa,” the US President said. Of the nearly 3,000 American troops that were deployed in the West Africa, more than 1,500 have been able to return, he said. The US President also lauded the “outstanding” leadership of Indian-American USAID Administrator Raj Shah and officials from other agencies for leading the US’ response teams in affected countries. [caption id=“attachment_2094307” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image: AP[/caption] “Because of your extraordinary work, we have made enormous progress in just a few months,” he said. “Whenever and wherever a disaster or a disease strikes, the world looks to us to lead. And because of extraordinary people like the ones standing behind me, and many who are in the audience, we have risen to the challenge,” Obama said, flanked by Ebola response staff. “Last summer, as Ebola spread in West Africa, overwhelming public health systems and threatening to cross more borders, I said that fighting this disease had to be more than a national security priority but an example of American leadership,” he said. The US forces set up Ebola treatment units, trained health workers, provided logistical support for aid agencies and constructed labs to test blood samples in the region. “Thanks to the hard work of our nearly 3,000 troops who deployed to West Africa, logistics have been set up, Ebola treatment units have been built, over 1,500 African health workers have been trained, and volunteers around the world gained the confidence to join the fight,” the US President said. There have been more than 22,000 reported confirmed, probable and suspected cases of Ebola since the outbreak began, with almost 8,800 known deaths. Liberia has reported only a handful of new cases per week, a drop of well over 90 per cent. Significant declines also have been reported in Sierra Leone from the epidemic’s peak. Obama said the US forces were a force multiplier and they encouraged others to join the effort. He said the US’ focus now was “getting to zero.” “As long as there is even one case of Ebola that is active out there risks still exist. Every case is an ember that if not contained could light a new fire. So we’re shifting our focus from fighting the epidemic to now extinguishing it,” he said. PTI