The United States has announced an additional $267 million in health and humanitarian aid to strengthen the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo….reports Africa Daily News Desk
The United States has announced an additional $267 million in direct health and humanitarian assistance to support the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as the disease continues to spread across the country.
The US Department of State announced the funding on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying the new assistance would support the expansion of Ebola treatment units, safe and dignified burial teams, personal protective equipment, disease surveillance, essential health supplies and contact tracing.
The latest funding brings total US government health and humanitarian assistance for the outbreak to $887 million, including more than $780 million provided directly by the State Department.
The US said the additional $267 million also fulfils part of its commitment at the G7 Leaders’ Summit to provide up to an additional $500 million for Ebola response efforts.
The funding comes as the outbreak continues to expand geographically. According to the World Health Organisation’s latest situation report, 7,733 confirmed cases and 3,732 deaths had been reported as of September 20. The outbreak had spread to 63 health zones.
The US government said it activated its Ebola response plan and mobilised assistance within 48 hours of the first reports of the outbreak in May 2026, describing it as its fastest response to an Ebola outbreak.
Through more than $780 million in State Department assistance, US supported implementers have delivered 292 metric tonnes of humanitarian supplies to outbreak affected areas and supported 8.6 million health screenings across countries considered at risk.
The assistance has also included 184,000 pieces of disease prevention equipment, the operation of 23 specialised Ebola treatment centres and support for 235 health facilities in affected areas, according to the department.
The US said its response is being carried out in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in partnership with the governments of the DRC, Uganda and other countries in the region.
The latest funding is also separate from $350 million in humanitarian assistance provided to the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan through US support to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The current outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus disease. WHO has described it as the largest Ebola disease outbreak ever recorded in the DRC and said the outbreak remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
The US said its response builds on a five year global health memorandum of understanding with the DRC signed in February under the Trump administration’s America First Global Health Strategy.
While highlighting its role as the largest health and humanitarian donor to the outbreak, the US government called on other countries with the capacity to contribute to increase burden sharing.
The appeal comes as international agencies and health authorities continue efforts to contain transmission, strengthen surveillance and prevent further cross border spread.
