African Leaders Mobilise $319 Million to Strengthen Response as Ebola Outbreak Escalates
Delays in mobilizing resources to combat the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak have raised alarms among African leaders and global health partners. They warned that without swift action, the outbreak could lead to wider regional transmission and increased fatalities. This warning was issued during a high-level virtual ministerial briefing organized by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the African Union.
Current Situation and Funding Needs
The outbreak, affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, is on track to become the second-largest Ebola outbreak since the devastating 2014 West Africa epidemic. Leaders at the briefing endorsed a continental preparedness and response plan that requires at least $319 million from June to November 2026. This funding aims to enhance outbreak control in affected nations and bolster preparedness in at least 11 high-risk African Union member states.
In addition, nearly $500 million has already been committed or pledged by various governments, multilateral agencies, and humanitarian partners. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, welcomed this strong show of support, emphasizing it as a vital demonstration of global solidarity in tackling this pressing health crisis.
Steps Forward in Resource Mobilization
Dr. Kaseya outlined the next steps for the joint Incident Management Support Team (IMST), which will work with partners to validate the financial pledges. This includes clarifying the balance between new financing, repurposed resources, in-kind contributions, and country-level allocations. The goal is to ensure that resources are directed toward priority actions identified in the response plan.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted that African nations have already pledged a portion of the necessary funding, indicating a shift towards self-reliance in crisis management. He noted that African countries have committed initial domestic contributions amounting to approximately 10% of the required financing, stating, “Africa is no longer waiting passively for others to act.” President Ramaphosa also announced that South Africa has doubled its earlier pledge to $5 million for the Africa CDC’s continental Ebola response. The Gates Foundation has also committed $5 million to Africa CDC and $10 million to the World Health Organization.
The Need for Stronger Health Infrastructure
H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, emphasized the necessity for increased investments in health infrastructure. He pointed out that the outbreak underscores the urgent need for stronger surveillance systems, emergency operations centers, community health workers, and local manufacturing capabilities. “African problems require African leadership and African responsibility,” he stated.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, cautioned that health authorities are “playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic” due to delayed detection in eastern DRC. The WHO has already allocated $3.9 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support ground operations. Dr. Tedros remarked, “We’re facing an extremely serious and difficult outbreak. It will get worse before it gets better. But we know this virus, and we know how to stop it.”
Challenges in Containment Efforts
The response to the outbreak is complicated by several factors, including insecurity, displacement, and community resistance. Reports of attacks on Ebola treatment facilities in eastern DRC have hampered surveillance and contact tracing efforts. The absence of approved vaccines and therapeutics for the Bundibugyo strain, along with limited laboratory capacity to confirm suspected cases quickly, further complicates containment initiatives.
Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, highlighted ongoing efforts to accelerate vaccine research and preparedness for the Bundibugyo strain. She stressed the importance of ensuring equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics once they become available.
Regional Coordination and Preparedness
Dr. Roger Kamba, the DRC’s Minister of Health, called for enhanced regional coordination and sustained support for frontline responders. He warned that the outbreak is unfolding in a challenging security environment, particularly in eastern DRC, where ongoing insecurity and attacks on health infrastructure hinder response operations.
Countries such as Somalia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Burundi have also underscored the importance of preparedness, robust laboratory systems, cross-border coordination, and information sharing. These measures are crucial given the high regional mobility and the risk of further spread of the virus.
For more information, visit the Africa CDC website and follow their updates on various social media platforms.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-05-26 16:59:00 • By the Editorial Desk
