The United States Department of State has announced an additional KSh 2.6 billion for African countries to strengthen Ebola preparedness.
Total direct funding for the Department of State’s Ebola response is estimated at KSh 28.4 billion following the recent funding for the Ebola outbreak.
In a statement on June 10 from the U.S Department of State, the additional funding will support the preparedness in countries such as Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
“The Department is announcing $20 million in additional funding toward the Department’s ongoing Ebola response and preparedness efforts, bringing the total direct funding for the Department of State’s Ebola response to more than $220 million. This additional funding will help support comprehensive preparedness activities in countries surrounding the current outbreak, including in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan,” part of the statement read.
US Ebola Preparedness Funding
According to the Department of State, the funding is in addition to the KSh45.15 billion that was received in DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda for Ebola response and humanitarian assistance.
The KSh45.15 billion in funding from the Department of State is part of the approximately KSh232.2 billion in assistance to the UN OCHA that the Department of State announced on May 14.
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US Funding to African Countries
Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan are expected to use the KSh 2.6 billion to support national emergency operations centers.
Further, the countries will enhance capacities for surveillance, testing, border screening, and infection prevention and control.
Through US funding, Kenya and other nations receiving the funding are expected to enable the procurement and distribution of critical commodities, as well as manage potential patients with Ebola.
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Ebola Preparedness Funding
As Kenya is among the nations to receive the KSh 2.6 billion, the country had previously received initial funding from the US.
On May 28, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, held a conversation with the Kenyan President William Ruto.
The US Secretary of State and President Ruto discussed coordinated efforts to secure vital medical supplies for Kenya and to strengthen the health system.
During the discussion, the United States Government affirmed its intention to commit KSh1.7 billion toward Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts.
According to the US Secretary of State, approximately KSh14,448 had already been committed to Kenya for bilateral assistance to the regional response.
Further, the US Secretary of State and President Ruto agreed on maintaining close coordination to leverage the U.S.-Kenya health partnership.
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