The European Union (EU) is providing €1 million in humanitarian aid to combat yellow fever in several South American countries, with a focus on Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. This funding aims to support both prevention and emergency response measures to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations.
The funds, mobilized by the EU’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, will be implemented in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and UNICEF. Key activities include strengthening disease surveillance and early detection systems, improving case management, increasing vaccination coverage, and raising public awareness to prevent further transmission.
Joëlle Van Winghem, head of European humanitarian projects in the health sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that supporting national authorities in emergency response is critical. Vaccinating high-risk populations, enhancing surveillance, and ensuring early diagnosis are essential to save lives, prevent the spread of yellow fever, and preserve vaccine stocks.
Yellow fever cases have surged in recent months across South America, predominantly in the Amazon basin but also in other areas with historically low vaccination rates. The EU’s support seeks to address these gaps and reduce the public health impact of the outbreak.
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