WHO: Ebola response hampered by funding gaps and DRC conflict

The World Health Organization is sounding the alarm over the dire situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where an Ebola outbreak declared on May 15 is being severely hampered by a lack of funds and persistent conflict.

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My message to partners and donors listening to us is very clear: you know our initial estimated budget of 518 million dollars. Many funding promises have been made, but the real money has yet to arrive in the accounts.

Mohamed Janabi, the WHO's regional director for Africa, described the epidemiological situation as "alarming." He criticized the international community, stating that "many funding promises have been made, but the real money has yet to arrive." The WHO and Africa CDC had previously estimated the response would require $1.4 billion, with only 13% of the $910 million pledged having been delivered.

Adding to the crisis, health brigades are operating under direct threat from armed violence in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces. "The current security context makes it extremely difficult to locate contacts, as our teams suffer aggressions," said Pierre Akilimani, the head of medical response in the DRC. He noted that community engagement remains a challenge, with reports of treatment centers being set on fire.

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The current security context makes it extremely difficult to locate contacts, as our teams suffer aggressions.

Marie Belizaire, the WHO's regional director for emergencies, highlighted that the virus is spreading in an insecure environment due to armed conflict, preventing medical teams from reaching remote communities where most infections are concentrated. She also warned of the high risk of cross-border expansion, citing that 15 of the 20 confirmed cases in Uganda were imported from the DRC. The health capacity of neighboring South Sudan to manage such an emergency is also a major concern.

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Second, due to the very high risk of cross-border expansion: 15 of the 20 confirmed cases in Uganda were imported from the DRC. This entire conflict zone also borders South Sudan, and South Sudan's health capacity to manage such an emergency is extremely worrying.