The British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Alison Thorpe, announced the funding on Thursday, October 31, 2024. She expressed confidence in Rwanda's response to the crisis and highlighted the UK's commitment to saving lives and preventing further spread of the virus.
'We are proud to collaborate with the government of Rwanda, the WHO, and partners to end this outbreak. The UK contribution will support Rwanda's impressive efforts in tackling Marburg and saving lives,' said Thorpe.
'The UK stands with the government and people of Rwanda in ending this outbreak as quickly as possible.'
Of the allocated funds, £0.5 million is designated for UNICEF to implement infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, including water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions, as well as risk communication and community engagement to educate the public about MVD and necessary precautions.
Up to £0.45 million will support an 11-person UK Emergency Medical Team providing IPC assistance to ambulance services for MVD and non-MVD patients and intensive care support in non-MVD wards.
Additionally, £0.6 million is allocated for expert support to bolster the overall response. This includes surge support for UN agencies to address key gaps through the Standby Partnerships mechanism, as well as technical expertise based within the British High Commission to guide the UK's support for Rwanda's Response Plan.
Lastly, £0.4 million is directed to the WHO Africa Regional Office for the procurement of essential supplies, including MVD test kits.
UK experts in Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers have been involved since the early days of the outbreak, supporting the Ministry of Health in Rwanda to launch a groundbreaking Marburg treatment trial. This trial, facilitated in partnership with the WHO and other agencies, is expected to contribute valuable insights into potential treatments for Marburg Virus Disease.
Funding has also been directed to key partners, including the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), to aid vaccine and therapeutic trials led by Rwanda's Ministry of Health. These trials aim to develop effective preventative measures and treatments, supporting both current efforts and future readiness.
The UK's support extends to research that examines the origins and zoonotic transmission of the Marburg Virus, crucial for understanding and managing future outbreaks.
The UK-Rwanda collaboration comes amid growing global health concerns, with a recent discovery of a more contagious strain of Mpox in London underscoring the urgency of effective containment strategies.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
