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A total of $2.9 billion has been mobilized to support the Ebola response in Africa, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said, as confirmed cases continue to increase in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya announced the funding after a G20+ Foreign Ministers meeting on accelerating collective action against Ebola, convened by the United States on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to the Africa CDC.
The meeting brought together representatives of Congo and Uganda, G20 members, partner countries and international organizations. The financing will support continental cross-border operations and nationally led priorities, including efforts to reach frontline communities.
US and EU contributions
The United States has contributed $886 million to the response. The European Union has mobilized €500 million ($568 million) in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment and health security assistance for the Great Lakes and Uganda region, the Africa CDC said.
Kaseya said the mobilization of funds showed what could be achieved through political leadership and international solidarity.
“We thank the US for this leadership and sense of solidarity by convening the 20th Ministerial Meeting. But pledges alone will not stop Ebola,” Kaseya said.
“We must be able to trace every single dollar -- from commitment to disbursement, from implementing partners to expenditure, and ultimately to the services delivered to affected communities. Transparency builds trust, accelerates delivery and saves lives,” he added.
Outbreak remains uncontrolled
The Africa CDC said it would strengthen its financial tracking mechanism with the Congolese government, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners. The aim is to ensure resources reach the frontline more quickly, identify funding gaps and keep national leadership at the center of the response.
The WHO said the Ebola outbreak in Congo remained uncontrolled despite improvements in some areas, with cases rising sharply in the eastern province of North Kivu.
Congolese health authorities have reported 7,773 confirmed cases and 3,759 deaths since the outbreak began in May. The disease has been recorded in 63 health zones across seven provinces.
Children under five remain particularly vulnerable, with a case fatality rate of more than 60%, compared with about 40% among adults, according to the WHO.
Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa described the outbreak as a “major test” for the country and said that “for the DRC, fighting this epidemic is an absolute priority.”
