Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK has committed £26.9 million to support the current Ebola outbreak response within the Democratic Republic of Congo, but concerns remain about disease surveillance and rapid response.
What steps her Department is taking with international partners to support the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
The UK has allocated £26.9 million of UK aid funding to support disease surveillance and rapid response, improve infection prevention and control, and work alongside WHO and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to scale up the response and adapt existing programmes.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The current Ebola outbreak in DRC spans 29 health zones across three eastern provinces, raising concerns about global health funding pressures that could undermine early warning systems protecting people at home.
With global health funding under significant pressure, does the Minister share my concern that we risk undermining the early warning systems that ultimately protect people here at home? Can he set out what steps the UK is taking to maintain its leadership role in global security?
The UK is not stepping back; it sits on boards of WHO, Global Fund, Gavi, and Pandemic Fund, helping maintain critical global health security infrastructure through investment and world-class research and development.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific concerns about early warning systems were not directly addressed.
Not Stepping Back
World-Class Research
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of early action to contain outbreaks at source, raising questions about strengthening pandemic preparedness through improved surveillance and rapid response capacity.
Given that lesson, can the Minister outline how the UK is working with international partners to strengthen pandemic preparedness through this response, including by improving surveillance, early warning systems and rapid response capacity in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, so that outbreaks such as Ebola are contained before they pose a wider global health risk?
The UK supports Africa-led responses, backing Government-owned surveillance systems through World Bank and global health organisations, providing UK expertise through mechanisms such as the UK Health Security Agency's public health team.
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Assessment & feedback
Improvement of early warning systems was not specifically addressed.
Africa-Led Responses
Government-Owned Surveillance
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Labour's cuts to development and aid have been criticized for undermining the response to the Ebola crisis, with funding at only 5% of what was provided a decade ago during another Ebola emergency.
Will the Government make it clear that pandemics cross borders and are a serious danger to all unless contained? Is that not the essence of the case for international development?
The UK is leading the global response on Ebola, one of the first countries to respond with funding, and the Foreign Secretary leads in securing international funding for tackling the outbreak. The right hon Gentleman raises valid concerns over health security.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment was made regarding future actions or funding levels.
Leading Globally
Health Security Concerns
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
A meeting with University of Stellenbosch experts highlighted the importance of local responses in combating the DRC Ebola outbreak, particularly in Africa, citing £100,000 funding committed locally.
Can the Minister confirm that all is being done to further support these local responses and initiatives?
The UK listens to African countries about how to respond, investing £160 million with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to develop vaccines. The hon Member is welcome to write further regarding local support needs.
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Assessment & feedback
Local response specifics were not fully addressed.
Listening To African Countries
Investment In Vaccines
Response accuracy