22/07/2019 (Agence Europe) – Following last week's declaration by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the Ebola epidemic in the DRC was a global health emergency, the European Commission announced on Monday 22 July the EU's readiness to step up its assistance to prevent any further spread of the virus. The Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides, was in contact last weekend with WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the European institution said. "At this critical time, the international community must redouble its efforts to fight Ebola (...) The European Union is at the forefront of the international response to support the Congolese authorities and WHO. We are ready to provide additional support, whether through the deployment of the European Medical Corps or additional financial support" (see EUROPE 12274/34), the Commissioner said in a statement. (AN)