Chinese envoy pledges 5 mln USD in post-Ebola recovery

A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Friday made a pledge of 5 million U.S. dollars to the UN Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund and called for more support for the West African people throughout the process of combating the Ebola epidemic and achieving recovery.

"China is studying carefully the recovery plans of the three affected countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and the Mano River Union, and will give positive consideration to a new batch of assistance based on these plans," said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, at the International Ebola Recovery Conference.

"In order to support the UN in continuing to play a leading and coordinating role in the recovery process of the affected areas, the Chinese government will make an additional donation of 5 million U.S. dollars to the UN Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund," Liu said.

As for China's past contributions, Liu said "after the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014, China conducted the largest medical assistance since the founding of the People's Republic, providing four batches of assistance to 13 countries in and around the affected areas in the total amount of 120 million U.S. dollars. "

According to Liu, China's assistance carries four characteristics, namely, quick response, fast delivery of commitment, targeted assistance and focus on the local people.

Currently, the combat against Ebola is going in a positive direction. China appreciates the tremendous endeavour made by the three countries and welcomes the recovery plans formulated by the three countries and the Mano River Union, said Liu.

The international community should build a sense of community of common destiny for all mankind, continue to strengthen unity and concerted action in an effort to help the three countries combat the epidemic and realize recovery, said Liu.

"The Ebola epidemic constitutes not only a severe threat to West African countries, but also a formidable challenge to the entire international community. The affected countries and peoples are at the forefront of our combat and need the firm support of all other countries. We should continue to make concerted efforts to help the affected countries and always stand together with the West African people throughout the process of combating the epidemic and achieving recovery," said Liu.

In terms of the public health systems of the affected countries, Liu said "The Ebola epidemic has revealed the severe weakness of the public health systems of the countries affected."

The international community needs to increase input in " hardware", including supporting these countries to build hospitals and laboratories and acquire sophisticated apparatus and equipment, and to help them improve the "software", including enhancing capacity building in health system, establishing public health emergency management mechanisms, improving grass-root level disease prevention and control, intensifying training for medical personnel, and raising awareness in disease prevention, he said.

Moreover, "the international community should help the affected countries with infrastructure building such as transportation, resumption of trade and export, revitalization of agriculture, energy and other key industries, enhance food security, education and employment, so that they are overall more resilient against crisis and their recovery is sustainable," said Liu.

Going forward, China will provide assistance to the post-Ebola recovery according to the need of the affected areas. We will actively support and participate in the building of disease control systems and medical and health infrastructure in Africa, help the African countries establish and improve their public health systems and improve their capacity to respond to public health emergencies, Liu added.

The conference focuses international attention on the need for targeted investments to support recovery priorities over a 24- month time frame. Such investments will consider the broader risk landscape that includes health, governance and peace building within the three countries and the Mano River sub-region, according to the UN website.

It also offers an opportunity to discuss detailed country-based and regional anti-Ebola strategies, and provide a platform to secure pledges of international support that can complement African Union-led efforts and help fill technical and resource gaps, said the website. Endite