WEST AFRICA: IRIN-WA Update 875

GUINEA-LIBERIA: US $1.5 million EU grant to fight yellow fever

The European Commission (EC) has approved a grant of US $1.5 million for
emergency yellow fever vaccination campaigns in Guinea and Liberia,
according to an European Union statement released on Thursday.

Vaccination will be carried out by Medecins sans frontieres (MSF) and
Hopital sans frontieres (HSF). Additionally, the EC will provide US $1.2
million for a vaccination project in the western Guinean areas of Kindia and
Mamou, as well as Labe and Kankan in the east. These are the regions most
affected by the recent outbreak in the country. The money will also be used
to buy and transport 300,000 additional doses and syringes for these areas.

As at 17 December, 187 of the 486 reported cases of the disease had resulted
in deaths. Funds left over could be used to prevent the spread of the
disease in currently unaffected areas.

In Liberia, where the epidemic has affected Grand Cape Mount County and the
Sorogbwema and the Makpele areas, the EC has proposed a grant of US $270,000
to buy 150,000 additional doses and cover the cost of the vaccination
campaign.