The African Development Bank has approved $13 million in emergency funding to strengthen Ebola containment efforts across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved $13 million in emergency grants to strengthen efforts to contain the Ebola virus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan.
The funding is intended to reinforce national emergency responses, curb the spread of the virus and reduce illness and deaths in vulnerable communities.
The outbreak was first reported by the DRC on 15 May in Ituri Province, before spreading to North Kivu and South Kivu, with cases also confirmed in Bunia, Rwampara and Mongwalu.
Under the funding package, $10 million will be reallocated from the African Development Bank Group’s existing DRC portfolio and channelled through the World Health Organisation (WHO). An additional $3 million will be provided through the Bank’s Multi-Country Emergency Assistance Project for the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, with implementation led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The DRC will receive $11 million, while Uganda and South Sudan will each receive $1 million to strengthen preparedness and response measures.
The grants will support early diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, community engagement, public awareness campaigns and regional coordination in partnership with national health ministries.
“This emergency support reflects the African Development Bank Group’s commitment to supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo and countries in the region in protecting human lives, strengthening the resilience of health systems and preventing the spread of the epidemic,” said Mohamed Cherif, Deputy Director General for Central Africa and DRC Country Manager at the African Development Bank Group.
“Through this support, the Bank Group reaffirms its commitment to standing by regional member countries in times of crisis,” he added.
The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The African Development Bank said the emergency funding forms part of its Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan to help halt transmission and protect communities most at risk.
