Ebola: EU allocates €3 million to Uganda's response efforts

The European Union (EU) has mobilised €3 million (about Shs 11 billion) in emergency funds to support Uganda's emergency response to the Ebola Virus Disease. The virus has continued to spread since it was first declared in September with Kampala registering 14 cases in the last 48 hours according to the ministry of Health.

Curiously, the funds have not been channelled through government but through partners. Half of the EU's funds (€1.5 million) have been allocated to World Health Organisation (WHO) to help in its coordination and surveillance activities, safe and dignified burials, as well as logistics and follow-up and care of survivors. 

Another €1 million will be allocated to UNICEF to address infection prevention and control, as well as risk communication and community engagement; while €500,000 will be allocated to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) for preparedness and infection prevention and control in the most exposed refugee settlements.

“We are exploring all available options for providing additional support in responding to the Ebola outbreak," said commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarčič in a statement.

€200,000 was allocated to the Uganda Red Cross Society, to support its activities on coordination, surveillance with contact tracing, risk communication, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials.

An additional €100,000 was allocated to the Kenya Red Cross, to support its preparations in the at-risk locations in view of possible cases in Kenya; and €50,000 to help the Red Cross prepare in South Sudan.