The African Development Bank Group has approved $13 million in emergency grants to strengthen efforts to contain the Ebola virus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Uganda. The funding will support national response efforts, improve disease control measures, and help reduce the spread of the outbreak in vulnerable communities.
The funding package includes a $10 million grant from reallocated resources within the Bank Group’s DRC portfolio, which will be delivered through the World Health Organization (WHO). An additional $3 million grant from the African Development Bank’s Multi-Country Emergency Assistance Project will be implemented by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
The DRC, which remains the epicentre of the outbreak, will receive $11 million, while Uganda and South Sudan will each receive $1 million to strengthen their emergency preparedness and response activities. The support follows the announcement of a new Ebola outbreak in DRC’s Ituri province on 15 May 2026, with cases also reported in areas including Bunia, Rwampara, and Mongwalu.
The emergency funding will focus on improving early diagnosis, expanding epidemiological surveillance, strengthening community engagement, increasing public awareness, and enhancing regional coordination. These measures aim to limit transmission, reduce deaths, and reinforce the capacity of local health systems to respond effectively.
The African Development Bank said the assistance reflects its commitment to supporting countries during health emergencies and strengthening regional resilience. The latest outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, a highly infectious variant for which no approved vaccine or specific treatment is currently available.
Through collaboration with national health authorities and international partners, the funding aims to support rapid response efforts and protect communities affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa.
