DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The African Development Bank Group has approved $13 million in emergency grants to bolster efforts aimed at containing a new Ebola virus disease outbreak in central and eastern Africa. The allocated funds are intended to strengthen national emergency response capabilities and prevent the virus from spreading further in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Uganda. This rapid infusion of resources is designed to support regional containment efforts and reduce mortality rates among populations in the most affected areas.
The health emergency began in the DRC, where authorities officially declared the outbreak on May 15, 2026. The initial cases appeared in the eastern Ituri province, notably impacting Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongwalu. Since then, the virus has quickly extended beyond its original focus, reaching the neighboring North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Experts have traced the outbreak to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a highly contagious and dangerous variant for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
To enable rapid response, the total funding is split into two grants managed by major international health organizations. A primary grant of $10 million, sourced from reallocated funds within the existing DRC portfolio of the African Development Bank, will be administered directly through the World Health Organization. An additional $3 million, from the bank’s Multi-Country Emergency Assistance Project covering the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, will be executed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The financial support has been allocated strategically to address different levels of crisis severity in each affected country. The DRC, as the epicenter of the current outbreak, will receive the largest share with $11 million. Meanwhile, Uganda and South Sudan will each get $1 million from the Multi-Country Emergency Assistance Project. These targeted funds aim to enhance preventative efforts, bolster health infrastructure, and prepare border regions for possible cross-border transmission.
Following the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan, the deployment will be coordinated closely with national health authorities. The primary goal is to stop the virus from spreading while reducing associated mortality and morbidity in vulnerable communities. Key activities include improving early diagnosis capabilities, expanding active epidemiological surveillance, and engaging communities through awareness campaigns. The funds will also support regional coordination efforts to unify the medical response and strengthen community engagement initiatives.
Mohamed Cherif, the Deputy Director General for Africa and the DRC country manager for the African Development Bank, highlighted the importance of this financial support. “This emergency response underscores the African Development Bank Group’s dedication to assisting the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries in saving lives, reinforcing health systems, and preventing further spread of the epidemic,” Cherif stated. He also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting its regional member countries during times of crisis.
The global healthcare community remains vigilant as the situation unfolds. Since no pharmacological options are available for the Bundibugyo strain, health teams must depend on strict containment, quarantine measures, and symptomatic care. This emergency funding will provide essential liquidity for local authorities to establish safe isolation units, sustain ongoing critical health services, and address logistical challenges posed by this highly infectious and rapidly spreading disease.