U.S. Unveils Ksh31 Billion Ebola Fund, Announces Benefits for Kenya

Jukwaa

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement on Tuesday, August 11, the U.S Department of State said the additional funding will support immediate Ebola response and preparedness in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as well as humanitarian assistance linked to the outbreak.

"Today, the Department is announcing that, working with Congress, it intends to provide an additional $242 million in funding for immediate Ebola response and preparedness efforts in the region and humanitarian assistance related to the outbreak," the statement read in part.

The funding will support surveillance and detection, isolation and treatment of Ebola patients, screening at borders and points of entry, strengthening of health facilities and laboratories, and community engagement to counter misinformation surrounding the outbreak.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, the funding is not solely for DRC and Uganda. Instead, the Trump administration is also securing vital medical supplies for Kenya and supporting efforts to strengthen the country's health system and preparedness against the virus.

"The United States is the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response including securing vital medical supplies for Kenya and ensuring the strength and preparedness of Kenya's health system," the Embassy said.

According to the statement, the funding followed the U.S. commitment for additional assistance during the G7 Summit held in France on June 16 to provide up to an additional USD500 million (over Ksh64 billion) on Ebola response efforts.

The move comes as the deadly virus continues to rapidly spread across the region, with the DRC estimating that at least 2000 people have died from the virus as at Tuesday, August 11.

According to data published overnight into Tuesday the outbreak has recorded a total of 4,381 confirmed cases, including 2,011 deaths. A total of 704 patients are in admission and isolation.

In Kenya, controversy still surrounds the Ebola isolation facility for Americans exposed to the virus in Laikipia.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke

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