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Ebola deaths in DRC reach 2,700 as UN Secretary-General seeks $1.1 billion for response

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in 2,700 deaths, with approximately 500 new cases reported weekly. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an urgent expansion of funding and containment efforts, warning that global indifference could worsen the crisis. He stated that the humanitarian response is only 48 percent funded and appealed for an additional $1.1 billion to prevent critical operations from running out of money. The World Health Organization WHO noted that while interventions have slowed transmission, the overall trend has not reversed due to insecurity, displacement, and weak health systems. The outbreak is spreading in conflict-affected areas, with over 12 million people requiring humanitarian assistance. In Ituri Province alone, about one million people have been displaced, complicating surveillance and treatment efforts. Insecurity has led to the deaths of over 40 healthcare workers and attacks on treatment centers. UN agencies are deploying additional burial teams and community-based teams, and WHO has sent experts and medical supplies. The World Food Programme is supporting operations, and the International Organization for Migration IOM has screened over one million people and launched a preparedness plan for 11 countries due to concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly into Burundi. Uganda has been declared free of its Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak after 42 consecutive days without new cases.