AUC, AfDB, ECA confident countries will beat Ebola Virus Disease
Leaders of three Pan-African institutions – the African Union Commission’s Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the African Development Bank’s Dr Donald Kaberuka, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s Dr. Carlos Lopes –concluded a solidarity tour on Friday 24 October 2014 in Conakry, Guinea.
The visit ended with a confident call to step up resource mobilisation, enhance coordination, fight stigmatization and promote Africa’s readiness for business. Starting off in Ghana, the visit took in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire, before rounding off in Guinea.
They met with Heads of Government, cabinet Ministers, parliamentarians, civil society and media in the affected countries, as well as with leaders of two neighbouringcountries, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana also hosted the delegation in its capacity as the current President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The primary purpose of the visit was to show solidarity in the spirit of Ubuntu, to shore up more resources to support the Governments and peoples of these countries, and to engage with leaders on their national efforts and strategiesin response to Ebola.
Their discussions focused on the immediate public health needs, in particular arresting the spread of the disease, as well as on the immediate and longer-term social and economic impact of Ebola. They saluted the courage, resilience and determination of the Governments and the people in overcoming the panic phase, embarking on massive public education around how the disease is spread, modes of prevention, social mobilization, contact tracing, testing and treatment, and also managing deaths and burials.
They appreciated the response to the AUC Chairperson’s appeal for AU Member States to make available medical personnel as soon as possible. They recognized the contribution of 600 from the East African Community, 1000 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (which is ready to deploy a first batch of 200), and 500 and 200 as recently announced by Nigeria and Ethiopia respectively. Ethiopia has also announced a $500,000 donation.
With over 2000 medical volunteers pledged this week,enhancing coordination becomes even more critical, atboth the national and international levels. Resources must be channeled to support the strategies, structures and procedures laid down by the Governments of the three affected countries. Accountability and transparency must be given at every level.
Through a $7.7 million ‘Crisis Response Technical Assistance Project’, the AfDB will fund the deployment of some 100 skilled health workers from across Africa and the diaspora, as well as supporting a scheme to supplement the salaries of over 2000 local health workers. It will also train 500 local health ‘extension’ and community workers.
The group shared the concern that stigmatisation is hurting not just those suffering from Ebola, but the whole continent of Africa. It felt that the virus – and perceptions about it – cannot be allowed to affect the economic prospects of a continent of 54 nations. In continuing to call for a lifting of travel bans, it was pleased to hear that Côte d’Ivoire has resumed flights to Guinea this week, and will do so with Sierra Leone and Liberia on Sunday 26 October.
