IMF Grants $100M In Debt Relief, Considers Loaning Additional $160M To Ebola-Hit Nations

Bloomberg News: IMF to Provide $100 Million in Debt Relief for Ebola-Hit Nations
“The IMF said it will provide close to $100 million in debt relief for Ebola-hit countries and is considering another $160 million in loans as they try to repair economies ravaged by the outbreak…” (Mayeda, 2/5).

The Guardian: IMF grants Ebola-hit countries $100m debt relief
“…The IMF also urged other international lenders to the countries to take similar action as it established a catastrophe containment relief trust to provide grants to countries suffering epidemics and other natural disasters. … Christine Lagarde, the IMF’s managing director, said: ‘[The trust] aims at enhancing our support to the countries in Africa hit by Ebola, as well as other low-income countries that may be affected by public health disasters in the future. This is a strong example of the IMF demonstrating flexibility and innovation in responding to the needs of our global membership’…” (Treanor, 2/5).

Inter Press Service: U.N. Body Demands Debt-Cancellation for Ebola-Impacted Countries
“The U.N. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is calling on multilateral institutions and governments to cancel the debts of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, to give them ‘breathing space’ to address the region’s economic challenges…” (Vives, 2/3).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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