DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / RankWire.AI / – The African Development Bank Group has approved emergency grants totaling $13 million to bolster efforts in controlling a new Ebola virus outbreak in central and eastern Africa. The allocated funds are aimed at strengthening national emergency responses and reducing the virus transmission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Uganda. This swift allocation intends to support regional containment strategies and decrease the mortality rate in communities at the highest risk.
The health emergency began in the DRC, where authorities officially reported the new outbreak on May 15, 2026. The epidemic initially emerged in the eastern Ituri province, notably impacting areas such as Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongwalu. Since then, the virus has rapidly spread beyond its initial focus, affecting neighboring North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Experts have identified the cause as the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a highly contagious variant with no currently approved vaccine or targeted treatment available.
To facilitate rapid response, the funding package is split into two separate grants managed by major international health organizations. A primary grant of $10 million originates from reallocated resources within the existing DRC portfolio of the African Development Bank and will be channeled directly through the World Health Organization. The second grant of $3 million, drawn 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.
Funds have been strategically allocated to address the differing crisis levels across affected nations. The DRC, as the primary epicenter, 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 are intended to enhance prevention strategies, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and prepare border regions for possible cross-border transmission.
Under the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan, the deployment will be coordinated closely with the respective national health authorities. The main goals are to stop the virus’s spread and reduce related deaths and illnesses in vulnerable populations. Key activities include improving early diagnosis, expanding active surveillance networks, and boosting community engagement. The funds will also support public awareness efforts, regional coordination, and the establishment of secure isolation units to manage cases effectively.
Mohamed Cherif, the Deputy Director General for Africa and the DRC country representative for the African Development Bank, highlighted the importance of this funding. “This emergency support demonstrates 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 institution’s commitment to support its regional member countries during critical times.
The global health community remains vigilant as the situation unfolds. Since pharmacological options are unavailable for the Bundibugyo strain, medical teams must depend exclusively on strict containment, quarantine measures, and symptomatic care. This emergency funding will provide the resources necessary for local authorities to establish safe isolation facilities, sustain essential health services, and address logistical challenges posed by this highly infectious disease.