Britain, Sweden donate to struggling UN Ebola Fund

The United Nations is leading the international response to the Ebola crisis and has set a target of ensuring at least 70% of infected people are getting treatment by December 1

Agence France-Presse

@afp

Published 12:16 PM, October 25, 2014

Updated 12:16 PM, October 25, 2014

MORE AID. A handout photograph released by the British Ministry of Defence showing more British troops from the Catterick based 35 Squadron from 5 Medical Regiment departing from Royal Air Force (RAF) Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, central England, 21 October as part of the British Army’s support to the UK’s response to the Ebola outbreak. File photo by CPL Richard Cave/British Ministry Of Defence/EPA

UNITED NATIONS – New pledges of financial aid to a UN Ebola fund have reached $118 million with Britain and Sweden offering sizeable contributions after UN chief Ban Ki-moon pleaded for more money.

Britain pledged $32 million and Sweden $15 million to the fund set up by Ban to fight the Ebola outbreak, that has now killed nearly 4,900 people in West Africa, UN officials said Friday, October 24.

A $1-billion-dollar appeal for financing by UN agencies has raised $491 million, nearly half the amount needed to fight the world's worst outbreak of the deadly virus. (READ: 5 misconceptions about Ebola)

FULL COVERAGE: EBOLA CRISIS

The United Nations is leading the international response to the Ebola crisis and has set a target of ensuring at least 70% of infected people are getting treatment by December 1.

Ban last week caused a stir when he complained of having only $100,000 in cash on hand for the fund and urged nations to dig deep in their pockets. (READ: Ban Ki-Moon: Time for ‘other countries’ to fight Ebola)

Since then Australia deposited $8.7 million and more countries have committed funds including Venezuela ($5 million), Canada ($3.6 million) and New Zealand ($1.2 million).

China has offered $6 million, Finland $9.1 million, Germany $6.3 million and Denmark $5 million to the trust fund that gives the UN quick access to financing to fight the epidemic.

UN officials say they are hoping to have $100 million in funding secured by the end of the month through formally signed agreements with donors.

So far it has signed commitments for funding totaling $18.7 million, although the pledges stand at $118 million. – Rappler.com