PHL donates P90M to UN Ebola global response program

The Philippines strengthened its global commitment to fight the Ebola virus by donating P90 million to the United Nations Development Programme.

 

In a news release issued on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said DFA Sec. Albert Del Rosario and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim Terence Jones signed on Wednesday the Standard Administrative Arrangement between the country and UNDP for management of the fund.

 

“This is but one way for us to give back to the international community for the outpouring of support in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan,” Del Rosario said.

He added the donation is “part of our commitment to protect and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas.”

 

For his part, Jones lauded the Philippines for its continuing commitment to address not only Ebola but also other global concerns such as climate change, disaster risk reduction and management, and the post-2015 sustainable development goals.

 

Present during the signing of the agreement were World Health Organization Representative Julie Hall, Health Undersecretary Dr. Nemesio Gako, and the 14-member Ebola Rapid Response Team.

 

The UN's Ebola global response program was launched by its Secretary General as a common financing mechanism to ensure rapid and transparent mobilization of funds from stakeholders.

 

Ebola has claimed more than 8,000 lives and is believed to have originated from Guinea. No cure is currently available against the deadly disease. —Andrei Medina/KG, GMA News