WHO, Africa CDC Unveil $319m Ebola Response Plan for Africa

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a coordinated six-month Ebola response strategy aimed at containing the worsening outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The emergency plan, unveiled on Saturday, carries a total budget of $319 million and covers all 55 African Union member states. According to health authorities, $265 million has been allocated specifically for outbreak response operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, while the remaining $54 million will support preparedness and preventive measures in 10 high-risk African countries.

The move comes as health officials intensify efforts to contain the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola currently affecting parts of Central and East Africa.

In eastern Congo, particularly in Ituri Province regarded as the epicentre of the outbreak authorities have stepped up hygiene and disease control measures across public spaces, markets and religious centres. Health workers were seen over the weekend disinfecting crowded public areas in Bunia, while churches and other gathering centres introduced compulsory hand-washing and encouraged the use of face masks.

Despite these efforts, resistance from sections of the local population has complicated containment operations.

On Sunday, reports emerged that angry youths stormed a hospital in Mongbwalu demanding the release of bodies belonging to deceased relatives, while several health facilities treating Ebola patients were attacked during the past week. According to the Congolese Ministry of Health, the latest outbreak has so far claimed 204 lives, while the WHO disclosed that more than 900 suspected cases have already been identified.

The Bundibugyo strain responsible for the outbreak currently has no approved vaccine, raising additional concerns among global health authorities.

The WHO and Africa CDC said the new response strategy would focus on surveillance, rapid response coordination, treatment support, border monitoring, community engagement and emergency preparedness across vulnerable regions.

Health experts warn that without stronger regional coordination and public cooperation, the outbreak could spread further across neighbouring countries.