Africa bloc fundraises for Ebola response in DR Congo

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) – The African Union Commission on Monday raised more than $53 million in support of Ebola response activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries at risk of importing the virus.

The fund was raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia during a gathering -- Africa Against Ebola: A Private Sector and Partners Forum.

The meeting aimed to provide material and financial support for the DRC battling against Ebola crisis and and its neighbors.

More than 2,000 Congolese died contracting the Ebola virus since August 2018 when the latest episode of outbreak had been announced, and more than 3,000 Ebola cases have been reported in the resource-rich nation of central Africa.

African Union Social Affairs Commissioner Amira ElFadil told a press conference after the fund raiser event that the largest contributor was the European Union, without disclosing further details.

There were also been in-kind pledges such as medical equipment and medicines, she said, calling the event “a highly successful forum.”

Representatives from the DRC, including the health minister, resident ambassadors, representatives of donors, officials and the private sector, attended the forum.

Jean Muyembe, a DRC delegation member, told the forum: “There had been 10 outbreaks in the DRC, but this one has come as the most-deadly and complex.”

He said “3,000 cases had been monitored in the east of the country,” adding armed attacks in the region was making the situation difficult.

The World Health Organization declared the Ebola crisis in the DRC a public health emergency of international concern.

- Dramatic decline in Ebola crisis

Meanwhile, DRC Health Minister Eteni Longondo said the Ebola crisis has been on a dramatic decline recently.

According to him, 25 people/day detection rate at the onset of the crisis has now dwindled to 0-3 people/day.

He, however, warned against the lingering threat and pointed to the likelihood of the virus spreading to neighboring countries.

In his remarks to the forum, African Union Commissioner Moussa Faki Mahamat condemned the armed groups that prevent the Ebola response activities.

The AU Center for Disease Prevention and Control (African CDC) has been providing epidemiological surveillance and diagnosis by sending experts to the spot since the onset of the crisis.