Gavi [to 13 February 2016]
http://www.gavialliance.org/library/news/press-releases/

.
11 February 2016
Japan commits US$ 18.5 million to support immunisation in Ebola-affected region
Pledge from G7 President will help revitalise immunisation services and strengthen health systems.

TOKYO, 10 February 2016 – The Government of Japan has committed US$ 18.5 million to help Gavi restore immunisation services in Ebola-affected countries. The contribution, which is for 2016 and is Japan’s largest to Gavi to date, will also support the strengthening of health systems in 13 countries, including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where thousands of children missed out on routine vaccinations during the Ebola outbreak.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Seiji Kihara, made the announcement ahead of a meeting in Tokyo last Thursday with new Gavi Board Chair Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Japan’s commitment means that all members of the G7, which will be chaired this year by Japan, have now made pledges to Gavi to support childhood immunisation for the 2016 to 2020 period.

Japan’s contribution will help Gavi support work to trace children who missed out on immunisation in the Ebola-hit countries and ensure they are reached through catch-up programmes. The new funding will also help strengthen health systems in the Ebola-affected West Africa region, including purchasing new cold chain equipment to ensure vaccines are stored at the correct temperatures…