Brussels, 15 September 2015/ ACP: The ACP Group of States welcomes the initiative by the European Commission announced on 7 September 2015, to provide an additional €1 million in funding for children orphaned by the Ebola epidemic in Guinea and Sierra Leone to receive education and psychological support. The amount is part of the overall funding of €11 million allocated this year for educational projects in conflict areas under the EU Children of Peace initiative.
The ACP Secretary General H.E Dr. Patrick Gomes reiterated that the target of zero cases of Ebola in the affected region has not been reached, and that the international community must remain vigilant.
“The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) remains a threat to the affected countries in the West African region as well as the international community, but more so to the vulnerable lives of children and youth who have been left orphaned, traumatised psychologically, and have lost so many opportunities including education and jobs, due to the tragic effects of the epidemic. These impacts are profound, extensive and ongoing, and we must not waver in giving those issues due attention and commitment,” said the Secretary General.
The ACP Group reaffirms its solidarity with the Ebola affected communities in their progress to recovery, and reiterates the call of the ACP Ministers of Health at their 2nd Meeting held in Brussels February 2015, for the international community to support the post-Ebola social and economic reconstruction of the most affected countries (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone).
The Secretary General called for further action by the international community to fulfill their commitments agreed on at the High Level Brussels Conference “From Emergency to Recovery”, held on 3 March 2015, particularly in support of the comprehensive strategy endorsed by the countries of the Mano River Union for “Getting down and staying at zero infection”.
He added that the ACP Group is giving special attention to enhancing of health systems in ACP Member States, a key area to be supported under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Intra-ACP Development Cooperation, and underlined the ACP Group’s support for the Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages), as presented in the draft outcome document of the United Nations Summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda.
For more information, contact ACP Press Attache, Ms. Josephine Latu-Sanft, +32 2 743 0617 or email latu@acp.int.