UN seeks fresh $1.1bn to fight Ebola in DR Congo

The United Nations has called for an extra $1.1 billion to bolster the global response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the humanitarian effort is grappling with a severe funding shortfall as health officials strive to curb the rapidly worsening outbreak.

The $2.1 billion response plan has only secured 48% of the necessary funding, leaving a $1.1 billion gap. Guterres expressed concern that dwindling resources could be depleted within weeks if donors do not contribute more, risking the disruption of vital operations during a period when expansion is crucial. "Without additional funding, crucial operations will run out of money, precisely when they need to scale up," he stated.

The UN solicited international donors to swiftly close the funding gap, emphasizing the potential need for additional resources as the response persists. The outbreak, declared on May 15, has reported over 5,600 confirmed cases and more than 2,700 fatalities, making it the most lethal Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the DRC. The latest strain, the Bundibugyo species, lacks approved vaccines or specific treatments.

The scale of the outbreak surpasses the DRC’s previous deadliest Ebola epidemic (2018-2020), which claimed 2,299 lives out of 3,381 confirmed cases. Health officials and international allies are contending with community resistance and testing refusals, complicating efforts to trace and contain the virus. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported these obstacles hinder surveillance and other measures needed to contain the disease.

The WHO affirmed its collaboration with national authorities and partners to fortify the response and reach affected communities. The European Union pledged on Tuesday to donate €2.5 million, approximately $2.9 million, for testing kits to aid the Ebola response. The UN's funding plea materializes as health agencies intensify containment measures, with apprehensions that a prolonged funding deficit could undermine critical interventions and result in additional casualties.