Africa CDC activates Epidemic Response Fund

ETHIOPIA— The African Epidemic Fund is now operational, marking a significant milestone for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

 This fund provides flexible financial resources to support countries across the continent in preparing for and responding to health crises.

The initiative aims to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, allowing Africa CDC to swiftly deploy funds where they are most needed, enabling faster and more effective outbreak responses.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, described this development as a landmark moment for health security in Africa.

He emphasized that the fund offers unprecedented flexibility, enabling Africa CDC to receive and allocate resources without bureaucratic limitations.

Transparency will be central to its operations, with real-time updates on funding allocations available on the Africa CDC website.

A governing board will oversee activities, ensuring accountability and regular reporting to African Union (AU) policy organs.

The fund was established following the High-Level Meeting on Domestic Health Financing, a collaboration between Africa CDC, the AU Commission, and AUDA-NEPAD.

It comes at a critical time as Africa faces multiple health emergencies, including the Marburg virus in Tanzania, Ebola in Uganda, cholera in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and an ongoing mpox outbreak.

The mpox crisis has worsened due to vaccine shortages and the suspension of U.S. aid, highlighting the urgent need for self-sustaining funding mechanisms.

Efforts to combat mpox are entering a critical phase, with Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, Head of the Mpox Incident Support Team at the Africa CDC, outlining a six-month plan that focuses on epidemic control and building resilience.

Strengthening surveillance systems, scaling up vaccination campaigns, and enhancing community-based interventions to break transmission chains are immediate priorities.

Africa CDC will continue to collaborate with WHO and other partners to mobilize resources and expand laboratory capacity.

This fund addresses Africa’s growing vulnerability to health threats, as public health events have risen sharply from 152 in 2022 to 213 in 2024.

 Providing rapid financial support during emergencies ensures that essential priorities are addressed promptly.

The African Epidemic Fund represents a vital step toward sustainable health security for the continent.

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