The World Bank has announced $93 million in new funding to strengthen the Ebola response in the African region as the Democratic Republic of Congo battles to contain the current outbreak, according to a statement Wednesday.
The statement said $80 million would strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, clinical case management, infection prevention and control, and community engagement in affected areas in Congo.
“Health emergencies don’t wait and neither did we,” said World Bank Division Director for Congo Albert Zeufack.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in Congo has reached 9,066, including 4,381 deaths, since the outbreak declaration in May, according to the latest Health Ministry update.
The epidemic has affected seven provinces: Haut-Uele, Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Bas-Uele, Tshopo and South-Ubangi.
Financing will also help sustain maternal and child health services in Ituri, the epicenter of the disease, so that the outbreak does not increase risks for women and newborns.
It will also help protect livelihoods in....
