Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says Cabinet has welcomed the African Development Bank Group's (AfDB) approval of US$13 million in emergency grants to strengthen efforts to contain the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan.
Briefing media on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, the Minister said the funding will reinforce national emergency response efforts, curb the spread of the virus and reduce deaths and illness in the most affected and vulnerable communities.
The funding follows calls by President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the African Union (AU) Champion for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR), for greater African solidarity, urgent humanitarian assistance and increased investment in African-led health innovation.
The outbreak was first reported by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 15 May 2026, in the Ituri province in the country's east, with cases also reported in Bunia, Rwampara and Mongwalu.
Since then, the outbreak has spread to the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
Under the funding package, $10 million will be drawn from reallocated resources within the African Development Bank Group's existing DRC portfolio and channelled through the World Health Organisation.
A further $3 million will come from the bank's Multi-Country Emergency Assistance Project covering the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, with implementation led by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The DRC, which is at the centre of the outbreak, will receive $11 million, while Uganda and South Sudan will each receive $1 million.
The funds will be used in coordination with national health ministries to strengthen early diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, community engagement, public awareness and regional coordination, according to a statement issued by the AfDB.
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The strain is described as particularly virulent, and there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for it. - SAnews.gov.za
