Germany pledges additional aid for Ebola fight

Berlin, Oct 18: The German government has pledged another 84.7 million euros (about $108.1 million) to fight the

, a government statement said on Friday.

It brings the total amount of aid promised by Germany for battling the disease to over 100 million euros.

The additional funds will be used to support efforts of the German government as well as non-governmental and international organisations, Xinhua reported citing the statement.

Government spokeswoman Christiane Wirtz stressed on Friday that it was necessary to reconstruct health systems in the long term and strengthen them in countries and regions affected by the virus.

This will be one key area of Germany's development policy in the coming years, she said.

Germany has sent transport planes to West Africa to help with the logistics of containing outbreak of Ebola and is supporting the construction of field hospitals.

Around 5,000 German soldiers have volunteered for the Ebola Task Force to West Africa after an appeal by German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen.

IANS