Funding commitments for the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa have fallen sharply, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) revealing that pledged support has dropped from nearly $500 million to about $290 million within days.
The funding setback comes as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the rapidly spreading Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, following the World Health Organization declaration of the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
According to Africa CDC, the outbreak has reached alarming levels in Congo, with 1,077 suspected cases and 246 suspected deaths recorded so far. Uganda has also confirmed eight cases linked to the outbreak.
Speaking during a virtual briefing, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya expressed frustration over the withdrawal of financial commitments by some donors.
“People are dying. How can organizations commit hundreds of millions of dollars and then reverse those pledges days later?” he asked, criticizing what he described as a lack of urgency in responding to the crisis.
Kaseya noted that while some major donors scaled back their commitments, institutions including the World Bank and the African Development Bank had agreed to redirect existing resources to support containment efforts.
Health officials warn that the response continues to face major obstacles, including shortages of essential supplies, limited healthcare infrastructure and mistrust among communities affected by previous Ebola outbreaks.
The outbreak has also prompted stricter border and travel measures. The United States recently imposed temporary entry restrictions on travellers who have recently visited Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.
Africa CDC questioned the inclusion of South Sudan in the restrictions, noting that the country has not recorded any Ebola cases or deaths linked to the outbreak.
Kaseya warned that travel restrictions, combined with declining financial support, could undermine efforts to bring the outbreak under control.
“We cannot stop this outbreak without resources,” he said, urging international partners to maintain funding commitments and support coordinated containment measures across the region.
