U.S. Pledges Additional $242 Million to Strengthen Ebola Response in East Africa
Credit: US Department of State
The United States will provide an additional $242 million to strengthen Ebola response and preparedness efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as authorities work to contain the rapidly spreading outbreak in the region.
The funding, announced by the U.S. Department of State on Thursday, will support emergency health operations, humanitarian assistance, disease surveillance, border screening and community outreach aimed at preventing further transmission of the virus.
The new assistance is part of the U.S. commitment made during the G7 Leaders’ Summit in June to provide up to $500 million for Ebola response efforts. With the latest pledge, the State Department said it has committed more than $512 million in direct funding to combat the outbreak across Africa.
The announcement comes in addition to $350 million in humanitarian assistance previously allocated to the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda under a broader $1.8 billion U.S. contribution to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The State Department said it is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the governments of the DRC, Uganda and other regional partners to contain the outbreak. It also commended Uganda for taking swift measures to detect cases and prevent wider transmission.
The additional funding will help expand surveillance and case detection, strengthen laboratories and health facilities, improve isolation and treatment services, enhance screening at border crossings and points of entry, and support public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation about Ebola.
According to the State Department, U.S.-funded programs have so far conducted 8.6 million health screenings in affected and at-risk countries, reached more than one million people with Ebola risk communication messages, supported over 180 health facilities, and helped operate 12 specialized Ebola treatment centers in the DRC.
The programs have also delivered nearly 300 metric tons of essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and water, sanitation and hygiene materials, while strengthening diagnostic capacity through 11 operational laboratories across the region.
The U.S. government said protecting American citizens remains a top priority during the outbreak. The Department of State continues to operate a 24-hour consular call center, provide travel assistance and offer emergency loans to eligible U.S. citizens affected by travel restrictions.
The United States has maintained Level 4: Do Not Travel advisories for the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, citing the Ebola outbreak and ongoing security concerns.
The State Department said the United States remains the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response and urged other international donors to increase their support to help contain the outbreak and address the growing humanitarian needs across the region.
