AU hails China's support in battling Ebola in W Africa

The African Union (AU) has hailed China's support to the efforts geared to fight against Ebola, which has claimed over 2,600 lives in African countries since earlier this year.

The handing over ceremony of the certificate of donation, which China had already pledged to support efforts to address the Ebola crisis, took place on Friday at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Xie Xiaoyan, Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, handed over the certificate of China's donation to Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, AU Commissioner for Social Affairs.

China has been supporting the efforts in fighting against Ebola by providing financial and material support as well as sending medical teams to the most affected West African countries.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the AU Commissioner commended the Chinese government for its support and positive response to the fight against Ebola.

"We are very grateful for the support that we have from China. The continued effort from the People's Republic of China is something we do appreciate," said Kaloko.

He stated that Africa's partnership with China is fruitful.

"This is the time when we need our friends and we are very happy we are getting this positive reaction from our friend, from the government of the People's Republic of China, a partnership which has been very lucrative and full of positive activities," said the commissioner.

The commissioner reiterated AU's commitment to prevent the further spread of the epidemic.

He called for collaborative action amongst African States and partners to curb the Ebola epidemic as a matter of urgency.

The Chinese ambassador noted that China has been supporting the efforts in fighting against Ebola since the time his country learned the eruption of the epidemic in April.

Xie said China has committed millions of dollars in cash and in kind to support the noble cause against Ebola crisis in West Africa, particularly in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

"China as a developing country but also a very close friend and partner of the African countries, the continent, is always supportive when the African brothers and sisters are in need," said the ambassador.

"So far, China has made within its command, assistance in the form of cash, materials, equipment when back in April, when China learned about the eruption of Ebola, China immediately take start the emergency mechanism in China and provided cash, materials, and equipment in the amount of 30 million yuan that is about 5 million U.S. dollars.

China also sent medical teams to the three countries that have been affected, and they are still fighting against Ebola in those countries. Then China, back in August, announced in total 30 million yuan for the three countries," recalled the ambassador.

"Then yesterday, our President while visiting India announced 200 million yuan additional fund in the form of cash, material and equipment will be provided for the people in the three countries affected by Ebola," he said.

Xie also stated that China has made available additional two million dollars each for the World Health Organization and the AU Commission in their fights as part of the global effort against Ebola.

The ambassador also noted that he presented the certificate of the donation by China, showing that his country lives up to its promises pledged to support African brothers and sisters.

He expressed China's commitment to continue to support the efforts against Ebola until the epidemic is defeated.

AU said the first batch of health volunteers to be deployed to Liberia under the AU support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa operations, has commenced.

The next set of volunteers will be deployed to Sierra Leone and Guinea, respectively, said the pan-African bloc.

The current epidemic is the biggest and most complex that the world has experienced since the first human outbreak occurred in 1976, said AU.