U.S. Announces Ksh31 Billion Fund to Boost East Africa’s Ebola Preparedness

The United States government has announced an additional Ksh31 billion (USD242 million) to support immediate Ebola response and preparedness in Africa, including strengthening Kenya’s health system against the virus.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 11, the U.S Department of State said the additional funding will support immediate Ebola response and preparedness in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as well as humanitarian assistance linked to the outbreak.

“Today, the Department is announcing that, working with Congress, it intends to provide an additional $242 million in funding for immediate Ebola response and preparedness efforts in the region and humanitarian assistance related to the outbreak,” the statement read in part.

The funding will support surveillance and detection, isolation and treatment of Ebola patients, screening at borders and points of entry, strengthening of health facilities and laboratories, and community engagement to counter misinformation surrounding the outbreak.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, the funding is not solely for DRC and Uganda. Instead, the Trump administration is also securing vital medical supplies for Kenya and supporting efforts to strengthen the country’s health system and preparedness against the virus.

“The United States is the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response including securing vital medical supplies for Kenya and ensuring the strength and preparedness of Kenya’s health system,” the Embassy said.

According to the statement, the funding followed the U.S. commitment for additional assistance during the G7 Summit held in France on June 16  to provide up to an additional USD500 million (over Ksh64 billion) on Ebola response efforts.

The move comes as the deadly virus continues to rapidly spread across the region, with the DRC estimating that at least 2000 people have died from the virus as at Tuesday, August 11. 

According to data published overnight into Tuesday the outbreak has recorded a total of 4,381 confirmed cases, including 2,011 deaths. A total of 704 patients are in admission and isolation.

In Kenya, controversy still surrounds the Ebola isolation facility for Americans exposed to the virus in Laikipia.

The site sparked public outcry, court challenges, and local demonstrations over sovereignty concerns, perceived health risks, and questions regarding whether the base was operating exclusively for foreign nationals.

Following petitions by human rights activists, the High Court issued conservatory orders halting the establishment, operationalisation, or admission of patients to the U.S.-backed 50-bed bio-isolation unit.

To prevent the virus from reaching the U.S., the American government banned its citizens from traveling to the DRC and Uganda, placing the East African countries on a do-not-travel list.

According to the State Department, countries are flagged as Level 4 because of local conditions and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide consular assistance. 

“We issue Travel Advisories with Levels 1 – 4. Level 4 means Do Not Travel. We assign Level 4 based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help Americans there. These places are dangerous. Do not go for any reason,” the advisory stated.