WASHINGTON, D.C.- The United States has announced an additional $20 million (approximately Sh2.6 billion) in funding to support Ebola preparedness and response efforts in Africa, bringing the U.S. State Department’s total direct contribution to the outbreak response to more than $220 million.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said the new funding will support preparedness measures in Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan, countries considered vulnerable to the spread of the virus because of regional movement and cross-border interactions.
According to the department, the funds will be used to strengthen national emergency operations centres, surveillance systems, laboratory testing, border screening, and infection prevention and control measures.
The assistance will also support the distribution of critical medical supplies and the management of Ebola patients.
The announcement comes amid growing international concern over the Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched a $518 million emergency response plan to help contain what it has described as one of the largest Ebola outbreaks on record.
The U.S. funding follows an earlier pledge of nearly $38 million announced last week, which pushed total American direct funding for Ebola response efforts beyond $200 million.
Health authorities have intensified preparedness measures across East and Central Africa as officials seek to prevent further cross-border transmission.
Kenya has been among the countries enhancing surveillance and screening measures at ports of entry and healthcare facilities in response to the regional outbreak.
The latest U.S. contribution is expected to bolster preparedness activities in neighbouring countries as governments and international health agencies work to contain the spread of the disease and strengthen public health systems.
