ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The Pandemic Fund has approved rapid response assistance worth US$128.89 million to help 10 countries affected by the increasing Mpox outbreak in the African region.
The approved funding prioritizes countries experiencing active Clade I circulation and facing emerging threats. Countries that will receive aid include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.
“This support will increase state and regional capacity in critical areas, such as disease surveillance, diagnostics, laboratory networks, and the health workforce – all critical to strengthening health security in the region, while addressing the immediate challenges posed by monkeypox,” according to the official statement from the Pandemic Fund, quoted on Saturday, September 21 2024.
The five main projects that will be supported by this assistance include improving cross-border monitoring systems, increasing laboratory capacity, and training health workers to be ready to face health threats. This second call for proposals increases the total Pandemic Fund assistance to US$547.4 million, with additional funding of US$47.4 million to be discussed in October 2024.
Meanwhile, this support is considered very important to implement the WHO-Africa CDC Mpox Continental Preparedness and Response Plan for Africa. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel