The international community is putting its best effort to deliver a rapid and effective response to help the countries and the people infected by Ebola, as the virus has already claimed more than 4,000 lives in West Africa.

So far Cuba, United Kingdom (UK), United States (U.S.), and China have made significant contributions by sending large numbers of soldiers or medics.

Cuba leads the way in medical effort. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Cuba is currently the biggest single provider of healthcare workers to West Africa in response to the Ebola crisis. On September 12, Cuba announced its plan to send 165 specially trained doctors and nurses to Sierra Leone to treat Ebola patients. On September 26, Cuba made another announcement that it would train 296 more members of medical staff. So far, Cuba has sent 165 doctors and nurses to Sierra Leone, 53 to Liberia and another 38 to Guinea.

The UK has supported treatment centers and has distributed personnel accordingly to the Ebola-infected countries. On November 5, the UK announced the opening of the 92-bed site in Kerry Town, the first of six Ebola treatment centers constructed by the British government. The first Ebola laboratory opened right next to the treatment center. So far, the UK has dedicated a total of 225 million GBP to the fight against Ebola. This includes a donation of 700 Ebola treatment beds for direct medical care for up to 8,800 patients. Also, approximately 50 volunteers from various organizations in the UK have formed a lab technician team and will arrive at Sierra Leone in the coming weeks. The UK plans to send a further 800 Ministry of Defense personnel to aid the establishment of treatment centers and an Ebola training academy.

China has also joined the global support by deploying of over 200 medical experts and providing the affected countries with 234 million RMB (23.6 million GBP or 38.2 million USD) worth of medical supplies and humanitarian aid.

The U.S. has deployed up to 4,000 troops to the infected regions, a plan that is estimated to cost 750 million USD over a six-month period. Furthermore, the White House announced that President Barack Obama is to ask Congress for 6.2 billion USD to fight Ebola in West Africa as well as to avoid the spread of the disease in the U.S..

In addition to the governments of various countries, international organizations have participated and led the fight against Ebola.

After declaring Ebola “an international public health emergency” on August 8, the World Health Organization has developed detailed advice on Ebola infection prevention and control in the guides Ebola and Marburg virus disease epidemics: preparedness, alert, control, and evaluation and Infection prevention and control guidance for care of patients with suspected or confirmed Filovirus haemorrhagic fever in health-care settings, with focus on Ebola.

On November 7, the WHO announced its new protocol for safe and dignified burial of death victims of Ebola. The WHO emphasized the participation of family members and encouraged religious rites, as they are crucial to safe burials. Also, the new protocol has a guideline for Ebola burial teams regarding safety and the consideration for the emotions of the bereaved.

The United Nations set up its first-ever emergency health mission in response to the unprecedented epidemic. On September 19, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 69/1 after the Secretary-General Ki-moon Ban revealed his intentions to establish the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). The General Assembly called on all member states, relevant United Nations bodies and the United Nations system to provide their full support to UNMEER.

The Mission is temporary and is designed to respond to immediate demands regarding the fight against Ebola. The mission today consists of four slogans: rapid action, in partnership, uniting expertise, and UNMEER Ebola operational site.

Immediately after the establishment, the Secretary-General deployed advance teams to the mission headquarters in Accra, Ghana and other countries severely suffering from Ebola such as Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. On September 23, the Secretary-General appointed David Nabarro and Anthony Banbury as his Special Envoy for Ebola and Special Representative and Head of UNMEER, respectively.