Beijing expands Ebola aid to Congo, Uganda amid worsening outbreak

China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the African Union following the Ebola outbreak and has deployed medical experts, medicines, and epidemic-control supplies to help contain the virus, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Guo said nearly 1,000 Chinese medical personnel are currently working alongside African communities to combat the disease.

Guo emphasized the longstanding partnership between China and African nations, noting that Beijing has consistently supported the continent during public health emergencies.

“China and Africa have always been brothers and partners who share one future together and have always supported each other in times of difficulty,” he said, adding that China has provided significant assistance to African countries in previous Ebola outbreaks.

“We closely follow the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda. After arriving in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, on June 2, Chinese medical experts immediately joined the health authorities of the DRC to learn about local needs and provide medical services and advice, whose effort has won acclaim from various sectors,” Guo said.

According to the spokesperson, China has already delivered emergency humanitarian assistance to the DRC and the African Union, including urgently needed medicines and epidemic-response supplies.

Guo also announced that, in light of the seriousness of the outbreak, the Chinese government has decided to provide an additional round of emergency humanitarian assistance to the DRC, Uganda, and the African Union.

“China will continue working with the international community, closely follow the situation on the ground and provide every possible support in light of Africa's needs for an early victory against the virus,” he added.

By Vafa Guliyeva