The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday it is preparing $127 million in zero-interest loans to the three African countries hardest hit by the Ebola outbreak - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The money would help the three governments deal with rising health and security expenses at a time when Ebola has damaged their economies and reduced tax revenue.
The loans would cover "a sizeable share" of the $300 million the governments need over the next six to nine months, the IMF said in a statement. The IMF's staff recommended the loans and the fund's board will consider the request early next month.
The $127 million would be on top of existing IMF loans to the three countries.
The World Bank on Tuesday approved a $105 million grant to finance efforts to contain Ebola. The disease is believed to have killed at least 2,400 people in the biggest outbreak ever.
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