Over $700 mln in Ebola funds unaccounted for in Congo: Africa CDC

The Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and Congolese health authorities have raised concerns over the lack of transparency in the use of Ebola response funds, revealing that over $700 million of the $962 million donated remains unaccounted for. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the director general of the Africa CDC, stated that it is too early to discuss embezzlement, but emphasized the issue as a significant transparency and financial reporting problem.

The unaccounted funds prevent authorities from obtaining a complete picture of the resources mobilized and spent.

Only around one-third of implementing partners who attended a recent meeting organized by Congo's health ministry shared financial information, according to Kaseya. These organizations reported receiving $228 million, with $127 million spent and approximately $100 million remaining unspent. Congo's health minister, Samuel-Roger Kamba, echoed the concerns on X, stating that aid groups must provide details on funding sources, goals, and implementation levels to his ministry.

Kaseya warned that non-compliant organizations may be barred from working in Congo and blacklisted across Africa. Previous Ebola responses in the country have been marked by allegations of favoritism and corruption, making the current situation even more concerning. The mistrust of health workers and agencies could complicate the containment efforts of the outbreak.