UK boosts Ebola response funding to £78.7 million as DRC outbreak worsens
UK increased its support for the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, raising its total commitment to £78.7 million, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The announcement followed a meeting in Addis Ababa between Africa CDC Director‑General Jean Kaseya and UK Minister for International Development Kirsty McNeill, building on an earlier £26.9 million allocation for the immediate response in DRC and Uganda.
As of 6 September, the DRC had recorded 6,686 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,226 deaths, with the outbreak affecting six provinces and 60 health zones. Caused by the Bundibugyo virus, the outbreak has led to imported cases in Uganda, prompting the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. For Nigerians, the continued spread raises regional risk; the UK funds will strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, case management, community engagement and cross‑border preparedness—key measures that help contain the virus and lower the chance of it reaching Nigeria through travel or trade links.
Africa CDC said the additional UK support will also boost wider regional coordination. Meanwhile, WHO warns that about 5,000 extra health workers are needed for DRC treatment centres, with nearly 4,000 already in place and a gap of roughly 1,600 treatment beds. Nigerians can stay alert to travel advisories, donate to reputable health NGOs operating in the region, and call for robust health screening at airports and borders. Will you consider supporting verified relief efforts or advocating for stronger entry‑point health checks to help keep your community safe?