Paul Allen giving at least $100M to Ebola fight

SEATTLE (AP) — Billionaire Paul Allen says he’ll contribute at least $100 million to the fight against Ebola.

The Microsoft co-founder said Thursday that among the initiatives he’s supporting is the development of two medevac containment units that the U.S. State Department can use to safely evacuate health workers who become infected.

Allen said he’s working with the World Health Organization to increase its capacity for handling the logistics of transporting international aid workers, and he’s establishing a fund to help cover the costs of emergency transportation of the workers.

Money will also go to the University of Massachusetts Medical School to help provide decontamination and lab equipment to Liberian hospitals, as well as community outreach and education in Liberia.

Allen’s foundation previously pledged $26.5 million. He’s urging people to give to the cause at http://www.tackleebola.com/ .

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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