The World Health Organization has received less than half the funding needed to combat the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, with 1,926 cases and 702 deaths reported. Officials warn that the response is at a critical point as cases spread to new provinces.
The World Health Organization has warned that it faces a critical funding shortfall in its fight against the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with only 40 percent of the US$115 million appeal received so far.
Speaking from Geneva on Tuesday, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, head of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, urged international donors not to abandon the country at a pivotal moment. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already infected at least 1,926 people and claimed 702 lives, according to government data. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is no proven treatment or vaccine for this strain, making containment efforts even more challenging.
The funding gap threatens essential response activities such as laboratory testing, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, and case management in the hardest-hit province of Ituri and beyond. Ihekweazu described the situation as a marathon, stressing that the international community must continue to push even when fatigue sets in. He also reiterated that the true number of cases is likely much higher than official tallies, possibly two to four times greater, due to underreporting and difficulties in remote areas.
The outbreak has recently spread to two new provinces, intensifying the urgency for a robust response. The WHO official emphasized that the Democratic Republic of Congo cannot bear this burden alone, and that the scale of resources must match the scale of the challenge. The global health agency continues to appeal for additional funding to prevent the outbreak from spiraling out of control, especially given the complex security and logistical hurdles in the region.
Communities in displacement camps, such as the Kigonze camp in Bunia, are particularly vulnerable, with health workers in full protective gear handling burials and monitoring for new cases. The situation remains precarious, and without immediate financial support, the progress made so far could be undone. The WHO is calling for a renewed commitment from donors to ensure that the response remains robust and capable of containing the outbreak.
The coming weeks are critical, and the world cannot afford to look away from this escalating health crisis in the heart of Africa
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