The United States has announced an additional $242 million in funding to support immediate Ebola response and preparedness efforts in Africa, as well as humanitarian assistance linked to the outbreak.
The funding is part of Washington’s continued support for Ebola response efforts in the region, with the US describing itself as the largest financial contributor to the response.
The United States noted that its support has included securing vital medical supplies for Kenya and strengthening the country’s health system to improve its preparedness for potential Ebola cases.
Healthcare workers handling Ebola cases. Photo: Courtesy.
The additional funding will support immediate response and preparedness activities in affected and at-risk countries, alongside humanitarian assistance related to the outbreak.
To date, funding from the US State Department has supported 8.6 million health screenings across affected and at-risk countries.
The assistance has also reached more than one million people through risk communication campaigns aimed at providing communities with information on Ebola prevention, symptoms and response measures.
The US has further supported more than 180 health facilities in Ebola-affected areas and contributed to the direct operation of 12 specialised facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) dedicated to isolating and treating Ebola patients.
As part of efforts to strengthen infection prevention and control, the US has procured and distributed nearly 300 metric tonnes of critical supplies.
The supplies include personal protective equipment as well as commodities needed for water, sanitation and hygiene programmes and infection prevention and control measures.
The US government has also supported the expansion of diagnostic capacity, strengthening 11 operational laboratories across the region to improve the ability of health authorities to detect and respond to Ebola cases.
The latest funding comes as countries in the region continue strengthening surveillance, laboratory capacity, health facilities and emergency response systems to contain Ebola outbreaks and prevent further transmission.
For Kenya, the support is expected to contribute to maintaining preparedness within the health system, particularly given the country’s role as a regional transport and health hub.
