Brussels, 13/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to grant almost 2 million euro of humanitarian aid to Congo-Brazzaville. Of this sum, financed via Echo (the Humanitarian Office), 500,000 euro will go to fight the Ebola virus epidemic, and 1.4 million euro will cover between President Sasou Nguesso's troops, and Pastor Ntoumi's "Ninja" militia.
The Ebola virus epidemic, which broke out last January, has already led to 77 deaths out of 95 detected cases. It directly threatens the lives of 10,000 people living in the affected area (Mbombo and Kelle), and indirectly threatens the population of the Cuvette district. Echo's funds will finance the implementation of a strategy for improved diagnosis, isolation units for sufferers where required, an awareness campaign, and self-protection training for aid workers in the health sector. This strategy will be co-ordinated by an epidemic management committee.
Aid for the victims of the ongoing conflict will focus on displaced persons (supply of drinking water and hygiene facilities, health services, and nutritional support) and vulnerable people in rural areas (provision of soap, blankets, jerry cans, seeds and tools for agricultural production to some 5,000 families). About 100,000 people living in the conflict zone are currently inaccessible to aid workers.