Ireland will provide a package of €6.5 million to the World Health Organisation in 2025, which will include support for survivors of the earthquake in Myanmar and a dedicated fund of €1 million to tackle the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Uganda, Minister for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond TD has announced.
Ebola cases have been reported in Uganda, including the capital, Kampala. Working with Uganda’s Ministry for Health, the WHO is supporting disease surveillance, infection prevention, and control measures, and the treatment of patients in isolation centres. The WHO is also working on a ground-breaking clinical efficacy trial for a potential vaccine against the virus. The package of €1 million from Irish Aid announced today will support these measures.
The announcement will also support the WHO’s efforts to contain disease outbreaks in the immediate aftermath of humanitarian disasters, as well as tackling health risks associated with climate change.
Minister Neale Richmond TD said: “Ireland is firmly committed to supporting the World Health Organisation’s efforts to tackle disease and provide healthcare in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Supporting the World Health Organisation makes the world a healthier and safer place for everyone. The COVID-19 pandemic was a reminder about our shared vulnerability to disease outbreaks and our shared responsibility to contain and tackle them. Today’s funding package will support measures to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Uganda. The Government of Uganda is to be commended for its pro-active response to the containment of this new Ebola outbreak which comes on top of an outbreak of cholera, and a recent sharp increase in the number of mpox cases”.
Ireland’s support for the World Health Organisation will also assist with the provision of much-needed trauma care for survivors of other humanitarian crises, including those affected by last week’s awful earthquake in Myanmar. Ireland has already provided € 6 million in direct humanitarian aid in response to that tragedy.
“Ireland is proud to support the work of the World Health Organisation around the world. Today’s funding package underlines our commitment to working with multilateral partners to create a better world for us all.”
