Trump Praises Uganda’s Rapid Ebola Response After Court Blocked Laikipia-Based Facility

Trump praises Uganda’s Ebola response as the US announces Ksh 31 billion funding for outbreak control after Kenya blocked a Laikipia-based facility.

The Trump administration has praised Uganda’s swift and decisive action in the Ebola response following the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after Kenya moved to block the establishment of a Laikipia-based Ebola preparedness facility.

In an update issued on August 5, the United States announced an additional $242 million (about Ksh 31 billion) to support emergency response and preparedness efforts in the region as it works with affected countries to contain the outbreak.

The US Department of State said the new funding will support Ebola response activities in the DRC and Uganda, alongside humanitarian assistance linked to the outbreak.

“The Department of State, in close coordination with the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and in partnership with the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and other countries in the region, is continuing to mount a rapid and comprehensive response to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC,” the department said.

Although the outbreak in the DRC remains concerning, the United States has recognised Uganda’s efforts to respond quickly and limit further spread of the disease.

“While the trajectory of the outbreak in the DRC remains concerning, the United States commends Uganda for swift and decisive action to respond to the outbreak and limit the spread of Ebola,” the statement added.

Uganda’s Ebola Response Receives US Recognition

The latest funding forms part of wider US efforts to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response programmes across the region.

The Department of State said the allocation supports the US government’s commitment made during the G7 Leaders’ Summit on June 16 to provide up to an additional $500 million for Ebola response efforts.

“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 department stated.

The new funding brings direct assistance announced by the Department of State to combat Ebola to more than $512 million.

Through this support, implementing organisations have expanded surveillance, detection, isolation, treatment, border screening and community engagement programmes.

The United States has also provided $350 million in humanitarian assistance for the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda as part of its $1.8 billion contribution to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced on May 14.

Also Read: Uganda Declared Ebola-Free After 42 Days Without a Single New Case

The US government said it continues leading financial efforts against Ebola and urged other donors to increase their contributions.

“The United States continues to be the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response. This additional funding will enable the United States to continue work with governments, private sector partners, and humanitarian implementers to mount a robust and comprehensive response,” the department said.

US Details Ebola Response Achievements

Meanwhile, the Department of State highlighted the impact of its funding across countries affected or at risk of Ebola. To date, State Department funding has achieved the following:

Supported 8.6 million health screenings across affected and at-risk countries.
Reached more than one million people with risk communication messaging.
Supported more than 180 health facilities in Ebola-affected areas and contributed to the direct operation of 12 specialised facilities in the DRC to isolate and treat Ebola patients.
Procured and distributed nearly 300 metric tons of critical supplies, including personal protective equipment and other essential commodities for water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as infection prevention and control.
Strengthened diagnostic capacity at 11 operational laboratories across the region.

The department said these interventions have improved disease detection, expanded treatment capacity and strengthened public awareness efforts during the outbreak response.

Also Read: Trump Cancels Planned Iran Attack After Negotiations

US Warns Citizens Against Travel to Affected Countries

At the same time, the Trump administration has continued measures aimed at protecting American citizens affected by the outbreak.

“The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens,” the Department of State said.

The department has maintained a dedicated 24/7 consular call centre to provide affected US citizens with security updates and critical health information.

It has also supported Americans affected by travel restrictions by providing financial assistance loans to those who need to change travel plans and secure temporary accommodation before returning to the United States.

The United States has maintained its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, advising Americans against travelling to the three countries.

The Department of State said it continues working with the CDC, the lead federal agency for the response, to mobilise resources while preventing Ebola from reaching the United States.

“The Department of State continues to work closely with the CDC, the lead federal agency for this response, to mobilize our global resources in support of this outbreak response, while putting the protection of Americans and preventing Ebola from reaching the American homeland first,” the statement said.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates.