On 3 September 2014, General Tanasak Patimaprakorn, Deputy Head of the National Council for Peace and Order and Head of NCPO Security Cluster, presented Thailand’s humanitarian assistance of Thai rice worth 5 million baht to Dr.Yonas Tegegn, Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Thailand, to help the peoples facing food shortage crisis in the countries affected by Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa. The ceremony was joined by Mr.Kiattikhun Chartprasert, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Acting Permanent Secretary, high ranking officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign dignitaries namely the Honorary Consuls of Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria as well as the representatives of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the World Food Programme, Thailand.

Dr. Tegegn expressed appreciation for Thailand’s rice donation and cooperation with WHO, which has called for rapid assistance in forms of foodstuff, drugs, medical equipment and personnel to mitigate the pandemic and its effect. The WHO’s emergency committee on Ebola said the outbreak developments in West Africa qualify as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The local authorities have sealed off several areas, particularly at the borders of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, to prevent the spread of the virus. This has limited the economic and agricultural activities causing severe food shortage. The donated Thai rice will contribute to the relief efforts in those areas.

According to WHO report on 28 August 2014, there have been 3,069 reported probable and confirmed cases of EVD and 1,552 deaths. WHO estimates that Ebola cases could rise to 20,000; however, the Organisation has not recommended imposing ban on international travel and trade with the affected countries.