Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino-Zimpapers Reporter
Zimbabwe has pledged US$1 million to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to help fight and contain the spread of the Ebola virus across the continent, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira has said.
Prof Murwira said the pledge, directed by President Mnangagwa, is part of Zimbabwe’s commitment to its Pan African values and constitutional obligation to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s political, social and economic well being.
“What is important is that this pledge is from Zimbabwe, as instructed by President Mnangagwa. The mechanisms and modalities on how it will be dispatched will be taken into consideration,” Prof Murwira said.
“This to us is broad because we are a member of the Africa CDC, and our foreign policy is Pan African by values and constitution.”
He said Zimbabwe has an obligation to support programmes that improve Africa’s social well being, which includes fighting and containing the Ebola virus.
“Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, Zimbabwe is committed to programmes that advance the continent’s political, economic and social orientations and this pledge is part of the social aspect,” he said.
“President Mnangagwa, through this pledge, is implementing what is in Zimbabwe’s foreign policy doctrine. The Constitution also mandates that Zimbabwe does so.”
The Africa CDC and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have declared the spread of Ebola a public health emergency since its outbreak on May 15 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They have launched a US$518 million financial plan to fund a joint six month continental response.
In its latest situation report on Saturday, the DRC’s health ministry warned of “rapid and continuous community transmission”, having recorded 71 cases of a rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in 24 hours.
Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, last week said that, while the country remains Ebola-free, the Government is on high alert following the activation of its preparedness measures.
He said Cabinet reviewed the national preparedness report last month, and all Ministries, Agencies and Departments are in full readiness against the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.
“As a responsible Government, Zimbabwe has activated its preparedness measures immediately following the outbreak declaration and the subsequent elevation of regional risk by the World Health Organisation,” said Dr Mombeshora.
“Cabinet reviewed the national preparedness report on 27 May 2026 and directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to maintain full readiness.”
As part of its readiness, the Government has fully activated all surveillance systems, intensified screening at all ports of entry, and health workers are receiving ongoing training in disease detection and case management.
Dr Mombeshora encouraged the public to rely on verified information from official health sources regarding Ebola.
Apart from the DRC, where over 1 000 suspected cases and 220 deaths have been recorded, the Africa CDC has warned that 10 African nations are at risk of Ebola: Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Zambia.
On Friday, Uganda recorded three new Ebola cases, bringing its total to 19, with two deaths.
Uganda and the DRC have since implemented cross border travel restrictions, including suspending public transport.
