African Union to immediately receive USD 18.5 Million direct support to its Ebola operation

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia– 12 September 2014: The African Union and partners met Monday on the sidelines of the emergency meeting of the African Union’s Executive Council, to announce pledges by the African Union Partners Group (AUPG) to the African Union Support to Ebola Outbreak (Operation ASEOWA).

The United States Government announced USD10 million and the European Union 5 million euros to be made available immediately, to support the African Union Operation to end the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The People’s Republic of China last week announced USD2 million to ASEOWA.

The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Erastus Mwencha, expressed gratitude to partners for their generous response to support the African Union operation and for all the concerted efforts to respond rapidly to the outbreak.
“The focus should be on containing the epidemic to make sure that it does not spread further, improve the capacity of health facilities, which have been overstretched and monitor contacts and manage the confirmed cases”, the Deputy Chairperson said.

The African Union this week received the assessment report from the mission that it sent to the affected countries which will inform its path breaking response.

“The United States is absolutely committed to working with the international community to increase response efforts in West Africa and help bring this outbreak under control”, said Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety, “We commend the AU for sending an assessment team and welcome its findings, and we urge the AU to ensure that its mission is working through its operations on the ground and in accord with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Ebola response roadmap”.

The ASEOWA operation aims at filling the existing gap in international efforts and will work with the African Humanitarian Action in mobilizing medical and public health volunteers across the continent and will complement ongoing efforts by various humanitarian actors who are already on the ground.

The African Union made a historic decision end of August by declaring Ebola a threat to peace and security in Africa, invoking article 6 (f) relating to its mandate with regard to humanitarian action and disaster management at its 450th meeting. The meeting authorised the immediate deployment of a joint AU-led military and civilian humanitarian mission to tackle the emergency situation caused by the Ebola outbreak. WHO estimates that about USD600 million is needed to bring the epidemic under control.

For more information, visit http://www.au.int

For further information contact

Wynne Musabayana | Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int|Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Tawanda Chisango| Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182029 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union

The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision:to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peacewith itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable,efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/