Kampala, Uganda – The Government of Sweden has announced a significant contribution of UGX 7.5 billion to UNICEF, aimed at supporting Uganda’s response to the ongoing Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. This funding will be utilized over the next five months to bolster the national response plan, focusing on high-risk areas including Kampala, Mbale, and Jinja.
The Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Mr. Benjamin Dousa, revealed the new funding during a visit to Kawempe National Referral Hospital in Kampala. “Sweden has supported response to previous outbreaks of Ebola in Uganda. We are glad to partner with UNICEF to again provide critical support to the response to the ongoing outbreak in Uganda,” Minister Dousa said.
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UNICEF Representative to Uganda, Dr. Robin Nandy, expressed gratitude for the Swedish government’s funding, highlighting its significance in strengthening the national response plan. “With the Swedish Government funding, our critical support to the Government of Uganda’s response plan will be strengthened. We believe that a sustained integrated response will result in the containment of the outbreak, saving the lives of children, women, and their families,” Dr. Nandy said.
The funding will support various interventions, including intensified risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as well as nutrition and mental health support. Approximately 8.1 million people are expected to benefit from these interventions, both directly and indirectly.
UNICEF’s contributions to the national response plan also include supporting emergency treatment units, vaccination rollout, and provision of lifesaving supplies. The organization is also co-chairing the Ministry of Health’s Risk Communication and Social Mobilization pillar, as well as the Continuity of Essential Health Services pillar.
