UN Releases $60 Million Emergency Fund as Ebola Outbreak Spreads Across Central Africa

Kenya, 22 May 2026 - The United Nations has released $60 million (about KSh7.8 billion) in emergency funding to help contain the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

The funding, announced by the UN on Friday, comes as health officials race to stop the deadly Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has already triggered international concern due to the absence of an approved vaccine or treatment.

According to the UN, the money will support urgent frontline operations, including contact tracing, treatment centres and community awareness campaigns aimed at slowing transmission.

“Ebola: UN allocates $60 million from emergency response fund to fight deadly outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo & the wider region,” the organisation said in a statement.

The UN added that the resources were “being directed toward contact tracing, establishment of treatment centres, community engagement & more.”

The emergency funding comes at a critical moment as health authorities struggle to contain infections in eastern DRC, where insecurity, displacement and fragile healthcare systems have complicated response efforts.

The World Health Organization has already declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after confirmed cases spread into Uganda.

Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks, the current epidemic involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine.