The United States announced an additional $242 million in funding for immediate Ebola response and preparedness efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and other countries in the region and humanitarian assistance related to the outbreak.
“This additional funding is aligned with the U.S. government’s commitment at the G7 Leaders’ Summit on June 16 to provide up to an additional $500 million on Ebola response efforts,” the Department of US said in a statement on Thursday.
It said the Department of State’s assistance announcements to combat the outbreak have now exceeded $512 million in direct assistance, enabling implementing organizations to expand the ongoing response in Africa.
“This is in addition to $350 million for critical humanitarian assistance in the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda, as part of our $1.8 billion in assistance to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced on May 14,” the statement said.
The United States continues to be the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response. This additional funding will enable the United States to continue work with governments, private sector partners, and humanitarian implementers to mount a robust and comprehensive response. The United States continues to call on other donors to dedicate resources toward tackling this Ebola outbreak.
It said the department supported more than 180 health facilities in Ebola-affected areas and contributed to the direct operation of 12 specialized facilities in DRC to isolate and treat Ebola patients;
It also procured and distributed nearly 300 metric tons of critical supplies, including personal protective equipment and other critical commodities for water, sanitation, and hygiene and infection prevention and control, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the United States commended Uganda for swift and decisive action to respond to the outbreak and limit the spread of Ebola.
MG/abj/APA