The European Commission Friday announced EUR 140 million of funding for countries currently affected by the Ebola virus in West Africa; Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria.
Some EUR 38 million of the new package is specifically designed to help those governments bolster their health services, said the EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs in a press statement.
"The ongoing Ebola crisis remains extremely concerning; not just because of its obvious impact on health services but also due to the wider challenges it brings to the region in terms of economic stability, food security, water and sanitation," he said.
On her part, Kristalina Georgieva, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid said "the situation is going from bad to worse, despite the brave efforts of humanitarian organisations and despite early and substantial assistance provided by the international community, including the EU.
"We are helping make a difference on the ground, but the needs are outpacing the international community's capacity to react. We need to pool our efforts and provide adequate air transportation and medical equipment to our partners in order to fight this menace," she added.