Ebola response: $3 billion pledged as contact tracing falls short in DRC

International health authorities have pledged nearly $3 billion to combat the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and the surrounding region. Announced on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the funding exceeds initial expectations of $2 billion. Major contributors include the United States, which pledged an additional $267 million bringing its total direct aid to $887 million, and Japan, which added $5 million. The European Union and the World Bank are also among the primary donors.

Despite the financial mobilization, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya warned of significant challenges in containment. Current contact tracing efforts have identified only approximately 30,000 potentially exposed individuals, a small fraction of the 420,000 contacts expected based on the roughly 7,000 confirmed cases. Kaseya noted that over 80% of new confirmed cases are being detected among people not currently on contact lists, indicating the virus is spreading beyond existing surveillance reach.

The outbreak, which began in May, is the second largest on record. The World Health Organization reported the virus has spread to two additional health zones in the Sud Ubangi and Haut-Uele provinces, bringing the total to 63 affected health zones across seven provinces. Africa CDC is calling for these funds to be used for treatment units, protective equipment, and vaccine access, while emphasizing the need for transparency to ensure resources reach frontline workers.