The Role of the United Nations in the Management of Health Crises: Ebola and COVID-19

Abstract

This research examines how the United Nations (UN) responded to two of the most significant health crises of the 21st century: the Ebola outbreak in West Africa (2014–2016) and the COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020). Through a comparative methodology, the study highlights the differences between the tactics applied, the speed of intervention, the organizational structures mobilized, and the challenges faced in each context. For the Ebola situation, the UN intervened through a newly established specialized mission (UNMEER), while for the COVID-19 pandemic it opted for the development of pre-existing bodies, emphasizing the importance of the World Health Organization and programs such as COVAX. According to the evaluation, the knowledge acquired during the Ebola crisis exerted a beneficial influence on the subsequent management of COVID-19. However, the scale and complexity of the pandemic revealed fragilities in the international public health system, suggesting the necessity of fundamental transformations to effectively respond to future health emergencies. UDC: 341.123:616.9