EAC 

Tuesday, April 22, 2014 

Germany gives $27m for EAC vaccines

A NEED: The German government said the money reflects their continued support for the EAC and the best interests of the ordinary citizens.

ARUSHA, Tanzania - The Federal Republic of Germany has signed an intergovernmental agreement with the East African Community (EAC) to support vaccinations in the region.

According to a press release, the German government will make available 20 million Euros (about $27 million) in support of an immunisation programme which will be implemented in together with the GAVI Alliance, (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation).

The GAVI Alliance is a public-private global health partnership committed to saving children’s lives and protecting people’s health by increasing access to immunization in poor countries. Thanking the German government, Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera, the EAC Secretary General and Member of the GAVI Board said, “This is a very important and critical programme, and I am sure with such commitment, it will grow. There is need for immediate support in the coordination of cold-chain logistics.”

The Secretary General said EAC Partner States are all introducing antigens simultaneously, making cold-chain logistics support vital.

Hans Koeppel, the Chargé d´Affaires at the German Embassy in Dar es Salaam, 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.”

It was mostly German taxpayers’ money that paid for the new EAC Secretariat headquarters in Arusha.

Since 1998, Germany development cooperation, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ), has contributed to the capacity development of the EAC Secretariat through various integration programmes and projects. 

Germany’s funding for Technical and Financial Cooperation with EAC amounts to approximately125.9 million Euros (over $170 million). Germany also provides substantial support for the health sector in selected EAC member states.

By Elisha Mayallah, Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014