rki.news | Xinhua
The UN has released up to $60 million in emergency funding to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, UN relief chief Tom Fletcher said Friday.
“We need to get ahead of this Ebola outbreak. Today, I am allocating up to $60 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund to accelerate response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region,” Fletcher said.
He said the response is being coordinated by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Fletcher warned the situation is difficult, noting there are no licensed vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain driving the outbreak.
He said the outbreak is unfolding in challenging environments where conflict and displacement are complicating containment and limiting access for aid agencies.
“We are applying lessons from previous outbreaks. Containment depends on fast, coordinated community action, strong communication with governments, and early warning systems,” he said.
Ghebreyesus called the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo “deeply worrisome,” warning actual case numbers may be higher.
Health officials said rapid response teams are being deployed to strengthen surveillance, contact tracing, and health systems amid rising concerns over regional spread.
The UN stressed urgent funding is critical to prevent further spread and stabilize affected communities across Central Africa.