ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The African Union announced Wednesday it will dedicate $1 million to help combat the deadly spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa.
AU Commissioner for Social Affairs Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko said Wednesday: "The African Union Commission is committed to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent the further spread of the epidemic and that adequate support is provided to the affected communities."
As of August 11, the World Health Organization has recorded a total of 1,975 cases of confirmed, probable and suspected Ebola, including 1,069 deaths in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
WHO Representative to Ethiopia, Dr. Pierre M'Pele-Kilebou, noted that the AU and WHO "are working closely to mobilize African countries and the international community to respond effectively to this public health emergency."
The AU plans to convene a special meeting of its Health Ministers in September to coincide with a donor conference on the Ebola outbreak, in order to address health-related funding and response initiatives.
