Germany has multiplied its support to the East African Community (EAC) for scaling up regional response measures to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, saying increasing preparedness of EAC Partner States, including South Sudan, against Ebola and other communicable diseases is key to preventing uncontrolled spreading, mass infections, and potentially disastrous impacts.
A press release from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Juba, extended to this publication, said that in line with this, the Government of Germany has committed an additional 3 million Euros to the East African Community to strengthen regional Ebola preparedness and response.
“Germany has already been supporting the EAC since 2016 in enhancing disease surveillance systems, laboratory networks, and emergency response mechanisms. Through German support, the EAC has deployed mobile laboratories across its Partner States,” the statement reads in part. “Currently, a German-supported laboratory is deployed to Nimule in South Sudan. Furthermore, the EAC received Personal Protective Equipment from the Government of Germany and training opportunities by German experts to support frontline health workers, including from South Sudan.”
“This support adds to the already committed 4 million Euros in additional German funding to the World Health Organisation for Ebola response and preparedness,” the statement added.
The total German support for addressing the current Ebola outbreak to the East African Community, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations family, and non-governmental organizations is 13 million Euros.
“Germany is committed to giving the relevant actors timely and flexible support in their response to the outbreak,” the statement concluded. “As one of the largest donors to the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Germany welcomes that the fund has set aside up to 60 million USD for Ebola response.”
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