Oxfam reaction to World Bank announcement to pledge $650m for Ebola-hit countries

In response to the World Bank announcement to pledge $650m to support the long-term recovery for Ebola-affected countries, Oxfam International’s Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said:

"We welcome the World Bank's announcement to provide money to support the long term recovery of the three Ebola-affected countries. It is crucial that the world does not turn away once the Ebola crisis is brought under control if we are going to prevent outbreaks from striking again.

“Funding is needed to address immediate recovery needs such as getting people back to work and building a health infrastructure that was inadequate in the first place. Communities must be at the heart of the recovery plan and accountable and transparent mechanisms for how the money is spent must be set up. We hope that today's announcement will pave the way for other donors to recognize the importance of contributing to this as part of the countries’ long term social and economic recovery at July’s pledging conference in New York.

We also welcome the announced contribution by countries like the UK and Germany to the IMF Catastrophe, Containment and Relief Trust as part of an effort to provide debt relief to countries affected by disasters.”