UK supports Rwanda and Burundi to strengthen Ebola preparedness
The United Kingdom has announced new support to strengthen preparedness for Ebola and other viral haemorrhagic diseases in Rwanda and Burundi, helping to reduce the risk of regional outbreaks.
In Rwanda, the UK will provide up to £800,000 to support key elements of the National Ebola Preparedness and Contingency Plan. This includes strengthening surveillance and early detection systems, improving Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and enhancing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in high-risk areas such as border points. The programme will also support Risk Communication and Community Engagement to ensure communities have clear and accurate information on prevention and transmission.
In parallel, the UK will provide £800,000 in Burundi to support the country’s Preparedness and Response Plan for Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers, focusing on the same priority areas: surveillance, IPC, WASH, and community engagement.
Across the region, additional UK support will strengthen data and information management systems to improve risk monitoring and enhance coordination of response efforts.
Programmes will be delivered through partners working in support of Rwandan and Burundian government plans, under the UK’s Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa Programme (TDDAP2).
This support builds on strong recent collaboration in responding to public health emergencies and underlines the UK’s commitment to working with regional partners to prevent outbreaks, protect lives, and strengthen health security.
Development Director at the British High Commission, Billy Stewart, said:
“At the heart of this support is a simple goal: saving lives. By strengthening preparedness, improving prevention measures, and supporting communities with clear information, the UK is helping Rwanda and Burundi reduce the risk of Ebola outbreaks and protect their people.”
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