Africa pledges $910 million to strengthen Ebola response efforts

Thursday 18 June 2026 - 09:46

The African Union has announced a $910 million funding commitment aimed at strengthening the response to the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, according to a statement released by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The package includes $80 million contributed directly by African member states, highlighting a growing regional effort to improve preparedness and response capacity in the face of recurring infectious disease outbreaks across the continent.

Health authorities say the funding will be used to support surveillance systems, expand laboratory capacity, improve treatment facilities, and reinforce rapid response teams operating in affected regions. The goal is to contain the outbreak more effectively and reduce the risk of cross-border transmission.

Ebola Bundibugyo is one of several strains of the Ebola virus disease, which is known for causing severe haemorrhagic fever and high mortality rates if not treated promptly. Outbreaks of the disease have historically required coordinated international and regional responses due to their rapid spread and impact on vulnerable health systems.

The Africa CDC emphasized that strengthening local health infrastructure remains a key priority, alongside improving coordination between national governments and international health partners. Officials also stressed the importance of community engagement in raising awareness and promoting early detection of symptoms.

Public health experts note that repeated outbreaks in Central and East Africa underline the need for long-term investment in disease prevention systems, rather than relying solely on emergency response measures.

The new financial commitment is expected to accelerate ongoing efforts to contain the current outbreak while improving the region’s overall capacity to respond to future health emergencies.