Developmentaid logo
Register

EU releases €7.2 million to step up fight against Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo

Oct 22, 2018
EU releases €7.2 million to step up fight against Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo

Add us as your preferred source on Google to see more of our content in Search.

Google logoAdd to Preferred Sources

The Commission is allocating an additional € 7.2 million to strengthen its response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is not yet under control. Total EU response so far stands at € 12.83 million in 2018.

The EU funding will help partner organizations working on the ground to deploy extra capacities to the affected areas. It will improve surveillance and the capacity to trace victims of Ebola, notably early cases. It also covers communication with affected communities on risks and how to prevent the spread of the disease including psycho-social support and preparedness for safe and dignified burials.

“We need to win the fight against the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo which has claimed, so far, over 150 lives. Overall EU support includes technical expertise, humanitarian air service, research funding, and humanitarian assistance. We are working closely with the World Health Organisation and the national authorities to fight the disease.” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.

From the very beginning of the outbreak, the EU has provided various supporting measures in North Kivu Province:

  • The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated following a request for assistance from the World Health Organisation and a medical evacuation support team dispatched.
  • ECHO flight, the EU’s humanitarian air service, has transported personnel, supplies, and equipment to the Ebola-affected areas since early August.
  • Commission humanitarian experts are on the ground in Beni, the Ebola-affected areas as well as in Goma and in Kinshasa. The EU is the only donor having sustained presence in Beni.
  • In bordering countries, the EU is financially supporting the Red Cross to reinforce preparedness and prevention measures in Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.
  • The Commission is also financially supporting Ebola vaccine development with over €160 million, the development of Ebola treatments has received over €7 million, and diagnostic tests have also received over €7 million.

Original source: European Commission
Published on 22 October 2018