The funding package, announced on Wednesday, combines financial assistance with technical expertise to enhance Tanzania's ability to prevent, detect and respond to potential Ebola outbreaks, although the country has not reported any confirmed cases.
The support comes as Tanzania intensifies surveillance and emergency preparedness under its national contingency plans amid increased cross-border movement within the East African region.
Immediately after Ebola outbreaks were confirmed in neighbouring countries, Tanzania's Ministry of Health convened technical experts, U.S. government agencies and international partners to coordinate preparedness activities and strengthen nationwide response mechanisms.
The U.S. assistance, valued at more than US$1 million (approximately 2.63 billion Tanzanian shillings), will support preparedness efforts in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The programme will strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory systems, infection prevention and control, case management, emergency coordination, risk communication, community engagement, preparedness at points of entry and workforce development in regions considered most vulnerable to cross-border transmission.
Implementation will be led through three complementary U.S. government initiatives. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will provide technical support to reinforce surveillance, laboratory services and infection prevention. The U.S. Department of State will support emergency coordination, border preparedness and community engagement, while the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), working with the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF), will enhance civilian-military preparedness in priority border regions.
The initiative builds on longstanding U.S.-Tanzania cooperation to strengthen public health systems capable of responding rapidly to emerging infectious diseases and other cross-border health threats.
According to the U.S. government, the investment is expected to improve Tanzania's capacity to rapidly detect Ebola, safely manage suspected cases, sustain surveillance at points of entry and respond effectively to future outbreaks.
The latest support underscores the broader partnership between Tanzania and the United States to strengthen national, regional and global health security through resilient disease surveillance and emergency response systems.
Notes to Editors
– The United States has announced more than US$1 million in new and reprogrammed funding to strengthen Tanzania's preparedness against Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
– Tanzania has not reported any confirmed Ebola cases. The funding is aimed at preparedness and prevention following outbreaks in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
– The assistance will support both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, with emphasis on regions at higher risk because of cross-border movement.
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