US pledges additional US$38M for Ebola outbreak response in DRC and Uganda

EAST AFRICA–The United States, working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, has intensified its coordinated response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

This follows the Department of State’s announcement of an additional US$38 million in funding, raising its total direct contribution to more than US$200 million for Ebola response operations across affected regions.

This new allocation builds on earlier support, which includes US$350 million in Ebola response and broader humanitarian assistance across the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda.

That funding forms part of a larger US$1.8 billion contribution to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Officials emphasized that the United States remains the largest single financial contributor to the regional Ebola response effort.

Strengthening surveillance, border screening, and coordination

With sustained funding, implementing partners continue to expand surveillance systems, contact tracing, and border screening operations.

These efforts focus on early detection and rapid containment of potential cases, particularly at high-risk entry points between the DRC and Uganda.

The International Organization for Migration has delivered thermo-scanners, communication equipment, and infection prevention supplies to airports in the DRC.

The organization is also improving airport infrastructure to enhance disease surveillance and response capacity.

In Uganda, IOM has deployed more than 100 screeners and data clerks across 13 points of entry to support systematic health screening and data collection.

These efforts aim to strengthen cross-border monitoring and reduce the risk of undetected transmission.

Expanding infection prevention and health facility support

In the DRC, UNICEF has distributed infection prevention and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) supplies to three Ebola treatment centers and 28 high-risk health facilities.

The support also includes training for more than 650 community health workers in the Bunia and Rwampara health zones.

Meanwhile, FHI 360 has deployed diagnostic equipment to Mongbwalu, improving local testing capacity and reducing delays in confirming suspected cases.

Contact tracing, community engagement, and risk communication

Partners continue to strengthen contact tracing systems, including active follow-up of confirmed contacts in outbreak-affected areas such as Bunia.

Community engagement remains central to the response strategy, particularly in addressing misinformation about Ebola transmission.

The organization World Vision has reached over 400,000 people through door-to-door campaigns, public gatherings, and health messaging in churches, markets, and clinics.

In addition, nearly 400 community volunteers and health workers have been trained in early detection, prevention, and risk communication.

Momentum Integrated Health Resilience is also training more than 1,500 frontline workers, including healthcare providers, teachers, transport workers, and community leaders across Goma and surrounding border health zones.

Safe burials, treatment, and healthcare worker protection

U.S.-supported partners continue to manage safe and dignified burials for Ebola victims while ensuring healthcare worker safety.

These teams provide technical assistance, protective equipment, and public awareness messaging to reduce infection risks during burial practices.

The International Medical Corps has trained 125 frontline workers on case identification, safe isolation procedures, and infection control practices. It has also supported Ebola response clinics that have screened more than 540 individuals to date.

Additionally, UNICEF has strengthened training programs for community health workers, reinforcing early detection and referral systems.

Logistics, diagnostics, and food assistance

The World Food Programme continues to provide food assistance to patients, caregivers, and healthcare workers in Ebola treatment and isolation centers.

This support helps maintain nutrition and stability for those directly affected by the outbreak and those supporting response operations.

Together with partner agencies, the response continues to prioritize rapid diagnostics, expanded surveillance, and community-centered interventions to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable populations across the region.