Australia Offers $16M For Ebola; MSF Asks Australia For Medics

News outlets report on Australia’s increased commitment of $16 million to assist with Ebola response efforts and Médecins Sans Frontières’s (MSF) criticism of Australia’s decision to donate funds but not personnel to the fight.

Agence France-Presse: MSF rejects Australian cash, asking for medics instead
“Global aid agency Doctors Without Borders said on Wednesday it had rejected cash for the Ebola response from Australia, asking the country instead to deploy desperately needed medical teams to West Africa. Canberra offered 2.5 million Australian dollars ($2.2 million, 1.7 million euros), said the charity, known by its French initials MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières)…” (10/1).

Associated Press: Australia lifts Ebola donation to $16 million
“Australia more than doubled its donation to the fight against Ebola in West Africa to 18 million Australian dollars ($16 million) on Thursday, but resisted demands to send personnel…” (McGuirk, 10/2).

Reuters: Australia criticized for not sending medical staff to fight Ebola
“Australia on Thursday announced additional funds for tackling Ebola but ruled out sending medical staff to Sierra Leone, prompting criticism for medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières that it was failing to meet its commitment…” (Packham, 10/1).

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