CAF makes available up to US$ 300 million for disease outbreak preparedness in PAHO/WHO member countries

On occasion of the Seventh Summit of the Americas, to be held in Panama City, on April 10-11, 2015, the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and CAF -development bank of Latin America announced joint actions to strengthen the capacity of countries in the Americas to respond to disease outbreaks and epidemics, including Ebola.

CAF made available up to US$ 300 million to support efforts to prepare for Ebola and other potential disease outbreaks. The announcement was made by PAHO/WHO Director Carissa F. Etienne and CAF Executive President Enrique Garcia, who stated that the impact of diseases such as Ebola con go far beyond the health sector.

"In our interconnected world, disease outbreaks can have serious economic and social repercussions", said Dr. Etienne. "Countries need to be ready to protect themselves."

Enrique Garcia said: "This US$ 300 million materialize CAF's will of keeping offering to its member countries financial alternatives and technical assistance that allow their governments to handle risk situations, start prevention plans and respond with agility at the right time when confronting emergencies".

CAF´s funding, which was approved by its Board of Directors by the end 2014, will be available to support specific efforts including strengthening epidemic surveillance systems and health services to ensure rapid and effective response to potential disease outbreaks. PAHO/WHO will provide technical support for CAF and for member countries in disease outbreaks preparedness efforts, in collaboration with national governments in Latin America and the Caribbean.

PAHO/WHO has undertaken a series of actions to help its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to detect, contain, and prevent local transmission of any imported cases of Ebola. These are part or larger efforts by PAHO/WHO to help its member countries to prevent and respond to global public health risk that crosses borders and threatens populations, within the framework of the International Health Regulations (IHR), an International Treaty signed by all WHO Member States.

PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the equality of life of the people of the Americas. PAHO is part of the United Nations system, serving as the Regional Office for the Americas of the WHO.