DR Congo: UK steps up support to stop spread of Ebola in eastern DRC

Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Source: Government of the United Kingdom The UK has announced up to £20 million to support communities affected by the deadly Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Up to £20 million of new UK aid funding to help contain the recent outbreak of Ebola in Eastern DRC. Funding will support a DRC-led response to protect frontline responders and local communities. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to co-chair ministerial group to coordinate Government response. The UK has allocated up to £20 million in new funding to contain the deadly Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The funding will help the World Health Organisation, UN, international and NGO partners respond rapidly to the outbreak by strengthening disease surveillance, supporting frontline health workers, improving infection prevention and control, and helping affected communities access lifesaving care. Most confirmed cases are in the Ituri region of eastern DRC – a region already facing significant humanitarian and security challenges. Alongside this funding, UK humanitarian partners are already responding to contain the outbreak. The UK has been working with leading international humanitarian organisations to contain the outbreak. Through the Strategic Assistance for Emergency Response (SAFER) consortium, the UK is pivoting funding to improve water, sanitation and hygiene systems, ensuring frontline responders and local communities have vital personal protective equipment, and strengthening Ebola containment measures. The UK is also refocusing efforts to protect maternity facilities and support civil society organisations to strengthen prevention and control, and mitigate the risk of increased birth...

Original source: Relief Web