Murkowski, Shaheen Press Rubio to Release $608 Million in Ebola Aid as CDC Evacuates 6 Americans
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 1
Murkowski, Shaheen Press Rubio to Release $608 Million in Ebola Aid as CDC Evacuates 6 Americans
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 1
Summary
$608 million in congressionally approved family-planning funds and $1.7 million in supplies should be released immediately, Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Jeanne Shaheen told Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a Thursday letter.
The senators said Ebola in pregnancy brings nearly 100% fetal loss and extreme maternal hemorrhage risk, and asked for a humanitarian exception to keep U.N. Population Fund clinics operating in Uganda and the DRC.
Geel, Belgium, holds the already purchased supplies, which the lawmakers said include contraception, post-rape medicines and hemorrhage treatments and could be destroyed if they are not distributed.
3,532 cases and 1,556 deaths had been recorded in the DRC by July 29, while Uganda had 20 confirmed cases and two deaths; the CDC is also coordinating the safe withdrawal of at least six exposed Americans.
The WHO declared a global health emergency after an outbreak believed to have begun in March, and the senators said the broader U.S. response is nearing $1 billion.