London, Feb 9 (IANS): The British government has pledged nearly 33 million pounds (approx $50 million) to a new Ebola fund, BBC reported Monday.

The money will allow the three severely affected West African countries - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - to devote more spending to fight the outbreak.

Chancellor George Osborne said Britain was the first country to pledge money.

"Britain has been at the forefront of the international response to the Ebola crisis, providing money, equipment and skilled personnel to help care for victims and contain the epidemic."

"Along with the human tragedy, the virus continues to have a devastating impact on the economies of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone," he added.

The fund was launched by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which will part-fund the new Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust from its existing resources.

Almost 9,000 people have died from the virus since December 2013.