US contributes USD 7 mn to combat Ebola outbreak in Congo for Global Health Security

Funding is combined with the USD 1 million USAID committed last week, will provide a total of USD 8 million to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease.

United States announced that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is contributing USD 7 million to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Funding combined with the USD 1 million USAID committed last week, will provide a total of USD 8 million to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar made the announcement in his address before the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

While in addition to the funding USAID is providing personal protective equipment, mobile laboratories, and supplies, and has a robust presence on the ground. The United States is also sending a team of public health experts to join the efforts of the Ministry of Health of the DRC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.

Since 2014, the United States has been contributing to a global coalition to strengthen the ability of partner countries to prevent, detect, and respond to epidemic threats through the Global Health Security Agenda.

As part of this effort, the United States has invested USD 1 billion over five years with a goal of building local capacity to respond to health crisis at the country level and help nations comply with their obligations under the International Health Regulations (2005).