Ebola outbreak could cost Africa $3.6 billion, UN warns

The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda could inflict a devastating economic blow on Africa, potentially costing up to $3.6 billion and hundreds of thousands of jobs. This health emergency risks escalating into a prolonged development crisis across the region and the continent if not adequately contained.

The current outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain, which lacks a tested vaccine or treatment, has already infected 1,307 people and claimed 377 lives in the DRC since being declared on May 15. Uganda has also reported a smaller number of cases, and experts fear further spread to neighboring countries like South Sudan.

Damien Mama, the UNDP resident representative in Congo, stressed the urgency of the situation. "If we have the resources and we step up, we can contain this outbreak and prevent further losses," he stated. "If we do not, this health emergency risks becoming a much deeper and prolonged development crisis across the region and potentially the continent."

The UNDP's report outlines three potential scenarios. In the best-case scenario, where the epidemic remains confined to the two affected countries, the economic cost is estimated at $1 billion for Congo's GDP. However, the worst-case scenario, involving the spread to countries like Rwanda and Angola and coinciding with higher fuel costs, could slash continental GDP by $3.6 billion and result in the loss of 328,000 jobs.

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If we have the resources and we step up, we can contain this outbreak and prevent further losses. If we do not, this health emergency risks becoming a much deeper and prolonged development crisis across the region and potentially the continent.