We are focusing on a fast response in line with the UN’s action plan to contain the outbreak and break the disease’s transmission. The following funds have been quickly disbursed funds to organisations working on the front line of the Ebola epidemic:

• $5.4 million (from a total $8.9 million) to International Medical Corps (UK)to set up and run satellite screening and referral medical units for the new Ebola Treatment Centre in Sierra Leone. Funding will also go towards a new medical unit which will train health care providers (doctors, nurses, community health workers, midwives, and traditional birth attendants) on infection control protocols, Ebola viral disease case management, personal protection equipment usage, and other support such as psychological first aid.
• $4.6 million to the British Red Cross to help deal safely with those who have tragically died, to track people who have been in contact with those infected and to raise awareness in vulnerable communities in West Africa about protecting themselves.
• $2.5 million to support UNICEF’s work in Sierra Leone to provide essential health care services for mothers and children. More children are dying of non-Ebola illnesses like pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria.
• $2 million supports Médecins Sans Frontières extensive and highly professional front line work in West Africa to treat, contain and control the spread of the Ebola outbreak.
• $1.7m to Save the Children UK to provide child protection support for the increasing numbers of children affected by Ebola including: tracing children and where possible re-uniting them with their families; training and support for  foster care families;  counselling; livelihoods support and food and non-food items for boys and girls; and awareness raising of the disease and impacts on children.

The $20 million commitment from CIFF was made at the Defeating Ebola Conference in London on 2 October.