WHO launches $518 million Ebola response plan amid Central Africa outbreak

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a $518 million six-month joint response plan to combat an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, warning that urgent funding and political commitment are needed to contain what is already the fourth-largest Ebola outbreak on record.

The strategy, unveiled on June 5, is aimed at supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda in controlling the spread, while also helping other countries strengthen preparedness through measures such as enhanced border screening. The plan is being coordinated with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), Reuters reports.

“The outbreak is moving fast and we are still playing catch-up,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

“Containing Ebola requires political commitment, sustained finances and trust in engaging the communities,” he added.

Health authorities said the outbreak went undetected for weeks, leaving responders behind the curve. So far, there have been 381 confirmed cases and 62 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while Uganda has recorded 19 cases and two deaths, according to Africa CDC.

The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has no approved treatment or vaccine. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya described it as the most severe version of this strain recorded to date.

“This outbreak is very serious. If you compare with previous Bundibugyo outbreaks this is the most serious Bundibugyo outbreak we have,” Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said.

He also noted discrepancies in donor funding figures, saying pledged support currently stands at $315.8 million.

The Africa CDC declared Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, and the WHO subsequently classified it as a public health emergency of international concern.

Officials said diagnostic delays have complicated response efforts, with standard tests initially failing to detect the Bundibugyo strain and some results taking up to a week.

“It’s taking several days to a week or more. And that’s frustrating,” said Franklin Graham, president of Christian aid group Samaritan’s Purse, which is working in Congo’s Ituri province.

Response efforts have also been hindered by mistrust and insecurity, including reported attacks on burial teams and treatment centres. To support operations in high-risk areas, the WHO said on June 5 it had received three armoured vehicles from the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

By Sabina Mammadli