U.S. officials approved on Oct. 9 the additional $750 million requested for Ebola response efforts. Before the money can be released, however, the Senate Armed Services Committee still has to sign off on the approval.
The requested amount was originally for $1 billion to be taken from the Pentagon's budget, in order to fund the deployment of almost 4,000 military personnel to West Africa in the coming weeks. The House Armed Services Committee and the Appropriations subcommittee approved the initial request but limited the amount until a detailed response plan was submitted. The funding is just one approval away from being released.
"The world is facing a severe global health crisis emanating from West Africa. The United States is stepping up to lead the international response to the Ebola outbreak and Congress will ensure that the President's request is fully and quickly funded," said Rodney Frelinghuysen, Appropriations subcommittee chairman.
Concerns about the safety of those who will be deployed still weigh heavily on the minds of Frelinghuysen and Howard "Buck" McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, but they gave their approval because the Department of Defense provided them with enough information on how the money will be used to curb the Ebola outbreak.
Sen. James Inhofe is not easily swayed, though. Because Inhofe is part of the Senate Armed Services Committee, his approval is necessary.
Committee chairman Carl Levin is ready to grant the funding request but understands Inhofe's concerns about personnel safety and the general outcome of the effort, working with him to address the issues.
According to the outlined plan provided by the Pentagon, the $50 million that was previously released plus the additional $750 million would be spread out in six months. The effort will give the military about $28 million to spend per week.
Over 400 U.S. troops have already been deployed to West Africa to provide humanitarian assistance and the rest will follow in the next few weeks.
Humanitarian efforts to contain the outbreak include running mobile medical labs to assist local health workers in diagnosing possible cases of Ebola.
The Ebola Treatment Units will be capable of processing up to 100 samples in a day. Protective suits and medical supplies will also be provided, as well as tents for isolating Ebola patients. Logistical help will also be given to airlift workers in and out of affected areas.
