AU Provides $104 Million to Africa CDC for Mpox Response

Emergency Approval from Permanent Representatives Committee

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – August 2, 2024 – The Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of the African Union (AU) has approved an emergency allocation of $104 million to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to support the continent's response to the ongoing Mpox outbreak.

The approval was made at a special meeting of the PRC in Addis Ababa on Tuesday. The funds will be used to strengthen surveillance, outbreak investigation, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, and community engagement activities in countries affected by Mpox.

"This emergency funding will enable Africa CDC to provide essential support to countries in need and to help contain the spread of Mpox," said Dr. Ahmed Ouma, Director of Africa CDC.

The allocation comes in response to the growing number of Mpox cases reported in Africa. As of August 2, 2024, over 1,000 cases have been confirmed in 20 African countries.

The PRC also urged member states to step up their surveillance and preparedness efforts and to work closely with Africa CDC to ensure a coordinated regional response to the outbreak.