Published on: 2026-08-27
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
August 27, 2026 Healthcare
The current Ebola outbreak has become the largest in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the fastest-growing epidemic of this disease in the entire history of monitoring. Meanwhile, international attention and the resources provided to the country so far do not match the scale of the crisis, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Thursday.
“My main message is this: this outbreak is the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic in the history of observations. It is spreading faster and over a more extensive area compared to the measures to contain it. But it can be stopped,” the UN chief told journalists in New York.
According to him, experts know how to interrupt the transmission of the infection and save lives. However, to do this, it is necessary to overcome another “virus”.
“We must also overcome another virus – the virus of indifference,” Guterres said. According to him, international attention, political will, and resources still lag behind the real situation on the ground.
More than 2700 dead
As of August 25, 5,713 cases of Ebola have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 2,744 deaths.
“About 500 new cases are registered weekly, and the outbreak continues to spread over a vast area. Women and children are especially hard hit,” stated the UN chief.
The fight against the outbreak is taking place in one of the most unstable regions of the world. In the Ituri province alone, three decades of conflict have led to the forced displacement of a million people and severely limited access to food, medical care, and other essential services.
In total, more than 12 million people in the region are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Health systems are overwhelmed, infrastructure remains weak, and some areas are difficult to reach.
Medics work in dangerous conditions
Employees directly involved in fighting the epidemic are at particular risk. More than 40 healthcare workers have died trying to save others. In addition, treatment centers and ambulances are subject to attacks.
“Humanitarian workers face both the threat of the virus and the threat of violence at the same time. They deserve our recognition and support,” Guterres said.
Efforts to combat the outbreak are led by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo with the support of the United Nations, headed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners. The UN has also established the position of Senior Coordinator for Ebola Response.
© UNICEF/K. Ndomba Mbikayi In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, a batch of Ebola-Zaire vaccines has arrived for evaluation of their effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus.
The work is focused on five priorities: engaging with local residents to build trust and counter fear and misinformation; strengthening epidemiological surveillance for more prompt detection and isolation of the sick; expanding treatment and care capabilities; ensuring safe and dignified burials for the deceased; and preventing further spread of the virus.
Considering that the Congo River and the busy transportation routes in this area connect millions of people, the UN is strengthening preparedness measures in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, as well as coordination among the countries of the region. According to the Secretary-General, the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention play an important role.
There is only enough money left for a few weeks
The UN and partners have already allocated over 80 million dollars to combat the crisis.
The humanitarian plan costing $2.13 billion is funded only at 48 percent, largely thanks to a major contribution from the United States. However, the available resources will last only a few weeks, warned the Secretary-General.
Without funding, vital operations may be halted just when response measures need to be expanded. In this regard, Guterres called for the provision of the missing $1.1 billion to fully fund the humanitarian plan, noting that additional resources will be needed further on.
“The world still has a chance to get ahead of this crisis. But time is not on our side,” he said.
“The international community has the knowledge, means, and resources to stop this outbreak. The time has come to show collective resolve and act before the cost becomes even higher—in terms of human lives, complexity, and expenses,” emphasized the Secretary-General.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It is an accurate report on what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.