U.S. pledges half a million tala measles aid

By Adel Fruean 30 November 2019, 7:00PM

The United States of America is the latest member of the international community to answer a call for assistance for Samoa's rising measles epidemic with the immediate donation of US$200,000 (T$500,000)  in disaster assistance and medical expertise. 

According to a statement on the U.S. Embassy in Samoa's website, the country's official development agency will be leading an immediate response to the crisis with a financial donation.

“U.S.A.I.D. Global Health will be releasing US$200,000 of disaster assistance to respond to the need of disaster-affected people due to the measles outbreak," the statement said. 

“We’re [also] working with our inter agency partners like the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Global to help our friends in Samoa.”

The announcement of the American aid follows news that a British team of 13 medical specialists would be arriving in Apia on Monday to begin working with a specialist focus on treating the disease's well known complications, such as pneumonia. 

A specialist physiotherapist, trained by the charity Humanity and Inclusion, will also join the team.

The U.K. Emergency Treatment Team has deployed around the world, including in December 2017 responding to a diphtheria outbreak in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

The World Health Organisation issued a global call for specialist Emergency Medical Team help on November 26th. 

Samoa is eligible for aid or Official Development Assistance (O.D.A.) and is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 

 

By Adel Fruean 30 November 2019, 7:00PM

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