Philippines extends $2 M to global response against Ebola

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government has extended P90 million (about $2 million) to the United Nations-led global response against the dreaded Ebola virus disease, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, ad interim Terence Jones signed on Wednesday the Standard Administrative Arrangement between the Philippines and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the management of Manila's contribution to the Ebola Response Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), the department said.

Del Rosario noted the Philippines' commitment to assist in the ongoing Ebola outbreak response efforts, as well as in initiatives for the prevention of future outbreaks.

He said that the 90-million-peso contribution is a step in this direction.

"This is but one way for us to give back to the international community for the outpouring of support in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan and also part of our commitment to protect and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas," Del Rosario said.

The Ebola Response MPTF was launched by the UN secretary general as a common financing mechanism to ensure the coherent response of the UN system and rapid and transparent mobilization of funding from all stakeholders.