The United Nations has appealed for an additional $1.1 billion to strengthen the international response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the appeal on Thursday, warning that the humanitarian response is facing a critical funding shortfall as health authorities work to contain the worsening outbreak.
The $2.1 billion response plan has received only 48 per cent of the funding required, leaving a gap of about $1.1 billion.
Guterres cautioned that available resources could be exhausted within weeks if donors fail to provide additional funding, potentially disrupting critical operations at a time when the response needs to be expanded.
“Without additional funding, vital operations will run out of money, just when they need to expand,” he said.
The UN chief urged international donors to urgently bridge the funding gap, warning that additional resources could be needed as the response continues.
The outbreak, declared on May 15, has recorded more than 5,600 confirmed cases and over 2,700 deaths, making it the deadliest Ebola outbreak recorded in the DRC.
The latest outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo species of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments.
The scale of the outbreak has exceeded the DRC’s previous deadliest Ebola epidemic, which occurred between 2018 and 2020 and killed 2,299 people out of 3,381 confirmed cases, according to World Health Organisation figures based on data from Congolese authorities.
Health officials and international partners are facing additional challenges, including resistance from some communities and refusals to undergo testing, which are complicating efforts to track and contain the virus.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said the difficulties were hampering surveillance and other measures required to curb the spread of the disease.
The WHO said it was working with national authorities and partners to strengthen the response and reach communities affected by the outbreak.
Meanwhile, the European Union announced on Tuesday that it would provide testing kits worth €2.5 million, approximately $2.9 million, to support the Ebola response.
The UN’s funding appeal comes as health agencies intensify containment efforts, with concerns that a prolonged funding shortfall could weaken critical interventions and lead to further loss of lives.
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