The European Union has promised €140 million in assistance to bolster the overstretched health sectors of four West African nations struggling to halt the worst ever outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
The funding will be used to strengthen health systems, train health workers and pay for mobile testing laboratories in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Guinea where over 1,900 people have died since the outbreak was identified in March.
Over €97 million will be spent on budget support to Liberia and Sierra Leone in order to help them deliver public services, including healthcare, and maintain macroeconomic stability, the European Commission said in a statement.
Kristalina Georgieva, the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, says the situation is “going from bad to worse”.
“We are helping make a difference on the ground but the needs are outpacing the international community’s capacity to react.”
The United Nations said on Wednesday that $600 million (€463 million) would be needed to fight the West African outbreak.
Reuters