African Heads of State held a high-level virtual meeting today with partners to reaffirm solidarity and accelerate efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The meeting sought to mobilise African and international support to curb the outbreak and strengthen preparedness in countries at risk of regional spread.
African Union Chairperson and President of Burundi, H.E. Evariste Ndayishimiye, said the response requires an estimated $518 million and urged Heads of State and Government, financing institutions, donor countries and partners to honour financial pledges immediately.
Countries responded with pledges of funding, in-kind support, technical assistance, logistics, and security-sensitive operational aid.
The meeting also stressed the need to scale up public education campaigns to raise awareness about the disease.
President Duma Boko said Botswana “stands in solidarity to confront the Ebola outbreak” and backed stronger cross-border cooperation, adding that “Africa stands strong when united.”
To date, 827 cases have been confirmed, with 194 deaths and 53 recoveries recorded.
