European Union pledges €16.5 million to combat Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The European Union announced an additional €16.5 million to strengthen the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The package includes €5 million for rapid‑test equipment, a €5 million contribution to the World Health Organization for disease surveillance and protective supplies, and €6.5 million routed through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to equip frontline health workers and expand genomic pathogen surveillance.

EU Crisis Commissioner Hadja Lahbi highlighted that the aid goes beyond containing the virus, emphasizing shared health security and the need for global cooperation. The funding builds on a previous €15 million humanitarian allocation announced in May. The death toll from the outbreak has risen above 100, underscoring the urgency of the EU’s support.

In a related statement in Addis Ababa, the EU confirmed €11.5 million specifically for Africa CDC’s efforts, of which €6 million is earmarked for the Africa CDC Pathogen Genomics Initiative and €5 million for rapid‑test kits. Officials described the partnership as a long‑term commitment to health security and pandemic preparedness across Africa.