EU increases aid to fight Ebola in Africa to $1.27 bn

Brussels, Oct 24 (IANS/EFE) The European Union (EU) will increase to one billion euros ($1.27 billion) its contribution to combating the Ebola epidemic in the West African countries worst affected by the deadly virus, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said Friday.

"EU will increase financial help to one billion euros to fight Ebola in West Africa," said Van Rompuy through his Twitter account during the summit of European Union leaders in Brussels that ends Friday.

EU members have endorsed the proposal of British Prime Minister David Cameron to increase the amount of the European financial assistance to combat the Ebola virus, which so far is estimated at over 500 million euros.

EU sources told Spanish news agency Efe that, on the first day of the summit, the heads of state or government of the EU were talking about increasing their contributions to a maximum of 700 million euros.

On Friday, they signed an agreement to increase their commitment to one billion euros, almost double the original amount.

So far, the EU has allocated more than 500 million euros, including 200 million euros from the European Commission, for development, humanitarian aid and research, with the rest earmarked for the affected countries.

The sources, who did not give additional details on how these funds will be allocated among the countries, indicated that the one billion euros includes the 500 million euros previously committed.

The European Union and European Commission have already agreed to ensure adequate attention to international health workers within available resources, so that they receive the treatment they need, which may involve medical evacuation.

--IANS/EFE

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