22.07.2015
Objective achieved: at the close of the International Conference of Africa’s Fight against Ebola, held in Malabo, the majority of the delegations present offered important economic aid for the assistance and recovery of the countries affected by this virus. The most important, that of the African Development Bank, which has announced 300 million dollars. Equatorial Guinea will make a contribution of three million dollars.
One of the determining aspects that was dealt with in the International Conference of Africa’s Fight against Ebola was the search for specific solutions and material support, both for the fight against the disease and for the recovery of the affected countries. During the meeting, the majority of the leaders of the continent have undertaken to make considerable donations to achieve it.
After the speeches by the chairman of the African Union (AU) and the Heat of State from Zimbabwe, H.E. Robert Mugabe and the President of Equatorial Guinea, H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, in the inaugural session, the representatives of the countries most affected by the Ebola virus spoke. They have provided specific data on the fight against this terrible epidemic and the form of confronting it.
The first of them was H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of Sierra Leona, who described the virus as a powerful enemy, and has assured that his country is determined to fight against this challenge. He also explained some of the measures taken for it: “We are applying a social recovery program, which involves our having to reinforce our health system, and support those with most needs caused by the disease, that is, the children and the elderly who have lost their families.”
For his part, the representative of the President of the Republic of Guinea Conakry thanked the African and international solidarity that has helped his country to face his challenge: “Guinea Conakry has taken advantage of this crisis to correct some of our errors, and reinforce our healthcare system; something that is essential for our most vulnerable population.”
In the working day, those present also announced the contributions and provisions that each of them is going to make for the fight against the disease. The President of Equatorial Guinea, H.E. Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, announced the contribution of the Government of three million dollars to the three affected countries, which signifies a million for each one. The Equatoguinean President recalled the case of the Equatoguinean nun, Paciencia Melgar, who was abandoned in Liberia for having contracted the disease, but who fought against it and beat it: “Ebola is not exclusive of the affected countries, we are all at risk. For this reason, Africa has to rise to the challenge of contributing,” he affirmed.
And that is what actually happened, because the contributions did not go lacking. Among others, the President of Benin, H.E. Thomas Boni Yayi, announced the contribution of two million dollars and the representative of Nigeria, of four million five hundred thousand; in addition to other aid, such as the sending of volunteers to the affected countries, technical support and training.
Not only were African countries the ones giving their economic aid: the representative of the Popular Republic of China has highlighted the friendship that exists between the Asian giant and the African continent, and has assured an economic contribution of five million dollars, plus another two for the Fund of the Fight against Diseases of the AU. The Chinese delegation has taken advantage of this moment to explain its actions in the affected countries: a portable laboratory in Sierra Leona, construction of portable laboratories in Liberia and in Guinea Conakry, realization of more than five thousand tests to detect the disease, etc.
In turn, the representative of the United States has announced a donation of six million dollars to work in the reinforcement of the qualification of the affected countries, in the response to epidemiological situations.
The representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) communicated that this institution had already destined sixty million dollars to the affected countries and one hundred fifty million dollars for the AU. In addition, it has committed another three hundred million dollars, which will be destined to an epidemiological surveillance network.
At the closing of the conferences, after the review of the work systematics and the announcements of donations and contributions that are going to be made by the different States and international institutions, the President of Zimbabwe and acting Chairman of the AU, H.E. Robert Mugabe, gave the closing speech, to indicate that in recent days they have worked hard in Malabo with the goal of helping the countries affected by Ebola: “We must work in reinforcing the measures of surveillance in order to avoid any epidemic situation.” He also referred to the need to accelerate the establishment of the systems, such as the early diagnosis of diseases.
Mugabe also requested the cancellation of the debts of the affected countries, with the aim of establishing the normality in the sectors of education and agriculture, and the reestablishment of the international activities, which were erased from the map by the disease.
-“We want to assure that each cent that we have collected is going to count in alleviating the suffering of our brothers and the disease. We must concentrate on the lessons learned in the fight against Ebola and any disease, and continue promoting our cooperation to maintain the drive in the fight against it.”
H.E. Robert Mugabe thanked the Government of Equatorial Guinea for holding the conference and the atmosphere that has helped the development of the work. He concluded by extending his thanks to those present, and wishing all the participants a safe return to their places of origin.
Original text from: http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=6772&lang=en
Image: guineaecuatorialpress.com
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