Ebola fight update as Delaware senator checks in from Africa

Delaware U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., the first member of congress to visit Liberia since the outbreak of Ebola checked in Monday morning to give details about his trip.

 

Sen. Coons during a phone press conference said he’s making great progress during his trip and has even met with several international partners to discuss efforts against Ebola currently underway.

He tweeted earlier “just had a fantastic conversation with the Mandela Young African Leaders Initiative at the U.S Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia”. He met with 11 of the members as well as visited soldiers from the Delaware Valley deployed to assist with building resources there.

“My goal as Chairman of African Affairs was to visit and thank them for their mission and experience first the changes that have happened in Liberian,” Coons said.

The senator has also visited brand-new U.S.-built emergency treatment units and met with leaders from the Liberian government, and aid workers from non-governmental organizations.

Congress recently approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill that included $5.4 billion in emergency funding for Ebola.  According to officials, much of that funding, about $2.5 billion of will go toward stopping the outbreak in West Africa and ensuring future flare-ups don’t again overtake local health systems.

Sen. Coons left for the trip last Thursday and returns tomorrow.