The South African government, in collaboration with private companies and donors, have unveiled the Ebola Response Fund to contribute in the fight against the intensifying virus outbreak in West Africa.



South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said the country has an obligation to stand with the rest of the world in ensuring the epidemic is brought under control.



“Eighteen companies pledged services, goods and cash in the humanitarian crisis in West Africa. Up to so far the goods and services are to the value of 12 million rands,” he said.



Speaking at the fund launch, Lois Brutus, Liberia’s ambassador to South Africa, expressed a sense of desperation in her country’s battle against the deadly virus, which has no known cure.

“All we are advising countries, governments and the countries across the world, is to take note of the fact that the virus referred to as Ebola is indeed a pandemic of catastrophic proportions,” said Brutus.



South Africa is urging more companies and individuals to contribute to the fund.



Health Minister Motsoaledi assured South Africans that the government is taking all necessary measures to prevent Ebola from spreading in the country.

The government has set-up a national response team in case of an outbreak. 

The number of Ebola cases in West Africa has been doubling about every three weeks and there is little evidence so far that the epidemic is losing momentum.

According to the World Health Organization, the current epidemic, considered the worst in the history of the virus, has claimed more than 4,000 lives and is expected to get worse in the coming months.