{
  "id": 5034963,
  "title": "Congo-Kinshasa: 'Time Is Not On Our Side,' UN Relief Chief Warns As Ebola Spreads in DR Congo",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/congo-kinshasa-time-is-not-on-our-side-un-relief-chief-warns-as-ebola",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-02T06:44:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202609020094.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a virtual briefing to member states, Tom Fletcher, the UN Relief Chief, warned that time is running out to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Speaking alongside Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Fletcher emphasized that the fast-growing epidemic is now affecting six provinces, including regions with limited access due to insecurity and weak health systems. The outbreak is disproportionately impacting women and children, leading to family separations and increased vulnerability to exploitation and trafficking. UN agencies and partners have activated a response, including operational hubs in Bunia and Beni, but more is needed. The revised 2026 DRC Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan requests $2.1 billion, with $300 million specifically allocated for Ebola-related activities. Over $1 billion has been secured, but a $500 million funding gap remains. The international community must use its influence to keep the crisis on the global agenda, ensure safe access for humanitarian workers, and increase funding for both the Ebola response and the broader humanitarian operation.",
  "summary": "[OCHA] Virtual Briefing to Member States on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator",
  "key_points": [
    "Ebola outbreak spreading in 6 DRC provinces, including insecure regions",
    "Women and children disproportionately affected, leading to family separations",
    "$2.1 billion humanitarian plan requested, $500 million funding gap remains"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The UN's warning that time is running out to contain the Ebola outbreak means the crisis will deepen unless the international community steps up funding and influence to secure safe humanitarian access.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "AllAfrica Health",
        "title": "Congo-Kinshasa: 'Time Is Not On Our Side,' UN Relief Chief Warns As Ebola Spreads in DR Congo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/congo-kinshasa-time-is-not-on-our-side-un-relief-chief-warns-as-ebola-5040231",
        "published": "2026-09-02T06:44:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}