Addis Ababa, 16 July 2012 – African Heads of State and Government, have endorsed the establishment of the African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF), introduced to the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) by H.E. Sheikh Professor Alhaji, Dr. Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh, President of the Republic of Gambia in the Ethiopian capital yesterday.

In his address to the Heads of State and Government, President Jammeh reminded the summit that public health emergencies remain a major concern for Africa, as they continue to shackle the continent's development. He pointed out that countries do not have the requisite human, financial and material resources to deal effectively and efficiently with public health emergencies. They often have to shift their attention beyond their boundaries for external assistance that sometimes arrive when much damage has already been done.

"It is in this regard that it is strongly justifiable to create a common fund that will considerably enhance preparedness for dealing with emergencies and their attendant unpleasant consequences. The resources of this common fund will aid countries to deal with epidemics and pandemics and thereby save lives and reduce poverty", he said.

With the purpose of mobilizing, managing and disbursing additional resources from Member States to respond rapidly and effectively to public health emergencies of national and international concern, the establishment of the APHEF was proposed by Dr Luis Sambo, WHO Regional Director and it was approved by the 60th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa held in 2010 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

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For more information, please contact:

Collins Boakye-Agyemang, Acting Programme Manager - Communications + 472413 9420 E-mail: Boakyec [at] afro.who.int (Boakyec[at]afro[dot]who[dot]int)

AFR/RC61/4 Framework document for the African Public Health Emergency Fund