Musk: Accidentally canceled Ebola prevention

WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - According to tech billionaire Elon Musk, Ebola prevention has also fallen victim to the radical austerity measures of the US government, which were implemented with the support of the billionaire Elon Musk. In the case of savings in the US development aid agency USAID, there were "accidental" cuts, Musk explained at a meeting with US President Donald Trump and his cabinet - but they were "immediately" reinstated and there was "no interruption".

Ebola is an often fatal viral disease that is particularly prevalent in tropical Africa. Rapid medical interventions and vaccinations, as well as research into vaccines, are crucial to contain outbreaks.

Musk cited the incident as an example to defend the radical austerity measures. He seemed amused by the temporary suspension of Ebola prevention measures - he laughed. "We will not be perfect," said the tech billionaire. With such large savings, mistakes are inevitable, but they will be "quickly corrected," he assured.

Critics: Trump administration cuts indiscriminately

The administration of US President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with a comprehensive restructuring of the state apparatus, which is having a particularly strong impact on USAID. The agency is set to cut around 1,600 jobs in the USA. Trump had already frozen its funds in January for an internal review.

Critics accuse the government and Musk of proceeding without a clear plan and cutting funds indiscriminately. There is no well-thought-out strategy behind the savings, but rather a hectic implementation of cuts without considering the long-term consequences - and not just at the development agency.

USAID is one of the largest development organizations in the world and coordinates numerous aid projects - from fighting AIDS to reconstruction in war zones. In the affected countries, there is growing concern that the loss of this support could plunge tens of thousands of people into existential hardship./gei/DP/he