The German government, the KfW Development Bank and the East African Community (EAC) have signed a financing agreement of 40 million euros to support regional immunization programme and the establishment and operations of the Regional Laboratory Network for Communicable Diseases.
The Secretary General of the East African Community Liberat Mfumukeko signed on behalf of the Community, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzania and also accredited to the East African Community, Egon Kochanke, initialled on behalf the Germany Government while Dr. Helmut Schon, signed on behalf of KfW.
Thity million euros in financial assistance will be invested in Immunization programmes in the EAC in collaboration with GAVI, while the 10 million euros in financial assistance will be used in the operation of the Regional Laboratory Network for Communicable Diseases consisting of mobile laboratory units located at national reference laboratories.
Amb. Mfumukeko, thanked Germany for its support to the EAC. ‘’We have truly benefited from the German support which has catalysed other development Partners to support our projects and programmes,” he said.
On his part Amb Kochanke said: “The new commitments underline that Germany continues to be a strong partner for the EAC, contributing to an integration process that puts the people in the centre.”
The Director of KfW Development Bank, Dar es Salaam Office, Dr. Helmut Schon said ‘’the support from KfW underlines the importance we give to the East African Community’’ a regional approach under the EAC coordination makes very much sense to address communicable diseases.
This new commitment will bring Germany’s contribution to fight child mortality through immunisation programmes to 90 million euros since 2013. So far about 50 million of Rota Virus Vaccines, Pneumococcal Vaccines and Pentavalent Vaccines have been financed in the EAC Partner States. Implicitly, an equal number of children have been vaccinated against the biggest killers of children, namely diarrhea and pneumonia.
Accompanying Amb Kochanke to the function was Ms Lena Thiede, Counsellor/Head of Regional Cooperation at the German Embassy in Dar es Salaam, and Director of KfW Development Bank, Dr. Helmut Schon.
Others at the function were EAC Deputy Secretaries General (Finance and Administration), Hon Jesca Eriyo; (Productive and Social Sector), Hon. Christophe Bavizamo and (Political Federation), Mr. Charles Njoroge.
