A health worker practises using a personal protective equipment (PPE) suit at a Ebola virus treatment centre.(Reuters)
India today announced USD 12 million contribution to the United Nations to help it fight the deadly Ebola virus in the African continent.
The contribution was approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just ahead of his departure to the US where he will address the 69th session of UN General Assembly in New York on September 27.
"India to contribute 10 million US dollars to UN Secretary General's Fund for Ebola. Additional 2 million US dollars for purchase of protective gear to tackle Ebola," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.
Ebola virus hit the African continent earlier this year and has killed nearly 2,200 people in several countries there. The UN Security Council has also declared the outbreak of the virus in West Africa a "threat to international peace and security".
UN chief Ban Ki-moon last week had described the situation arising out of spread of Ebola virus in the African continent, as "unprecedented" and had announced setting up of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response to put in place an effective response mechanism.