The Government of Sweden has announced $2 million in funding to UNICEF to support Uganda’s response to the Sudan Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak. The funds will be used over five months to strengthen Uganda’s national EVD response plan, focusing on Kampala, its five political divisions, and the districts of Mbale and Jinja.
The support will enhance risk communication, community engagement, infection prevention and control, as well as water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), nutrition, and mental health services. UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other partners, will also work to prevent further spread of the virus at the national and community levels.
Announcing the funding during a visit to Kawempe National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to Uganda’s health sector.
“Sweden has supported responses to previous Ebola outbreaks in Uganda. We are glad to partner with UNICEF to again provide critical support to the ongoing response. Sweden’s contribution will strengthen Uganda’s health systems at national, sub-national, and community levels for timely prevention and response,” Dousa said.
UNICEF to Strengthen Response Efforts
The funding is expected to benefit 8.1 million people directly and indirectly. UNICEF will intensify targeted risk communication and community engagement, ensuring that communities understand Ebola prevention measures, recognize symptoms, and seek early medical care to stop transmission.
UNICEF Representative to Uganda, Dr. Robin Nandy, welcomed the funding, highlighting Sweden’s continued support in strengthening Uganda’s health sector, including during past emergencies like COVID-19.
“With the Swedish Government funding, our critical support to the Government of Uganda’s response plan will be strengthened. We believe that a sustained integrated response will result in the containment of the outbreak, saving the lives of children, women, and their families,” Dr. Nandy said.
With Sweden’s latest funding, Uganda’s Ebola response will receive a major boost, ensuring better prevention, treatment, and care for affected communities.
