Continental Solidarity in Ebola Response
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has welcomed a 2.5 million USD pledge from the Government of South Africa to support the ongoing Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda through the Africa Epidemics Fund.
The funding is aimed at strengthening emergency operations as the continent responds to renewed public health risks linked to Ebola outbreaks.
This contribution follows communication from the Chairperson of the AUC, to African Heads of State and Government on the evolving Ebola outbreak and the urgent need for strengthened continental solidarity and coordinated action.
Africa CDC expressed appreciation to the government of South Africa and to African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, for what it described as timely leadership and solidarity in advancing Africa’s collective health security.
Strengthening Emergency Response Systems
Africa CDC stated that the support will strengthen critical response operations including continental coordination, surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, rapid response deployment, infection prevention and control, cross-border preparedness, and support for affected communities.
It also reinforces African-led financing mechanisms and the vision of a resilient, self-reliant and health-secure continent, demonstrating practical solidarity in addressing public health emergencies.
Africa CDC has called on all African Union Member States, development partners, donor countries, philanthropic institutions and the private sector to contribute to the Africa Epidemics Fund and support ongoing response efforts.
The current outbreak requires urgent, coordinated and adequately financed action to contain transmission, save lives and prevent regional escalation across affected countries.
The Africa Epidemics Fund is designed to enable swift mobilization of resources, ensuring that response teams can be deployed without delays commonly associated with external funding cycles.
Africa CDC stated that it remains fully committed to working closely with affected Member States, the African Union Commission, regional economic communities, and global partners to ensure a rapid, effective and Africa-led response.
