Published on: 2026-08-21
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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August 21, 2026 Healthcare
Against the backdrop of the spread of the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), UN representatives on Friday once again appealed to the international community to support the country.
“Funding will only last for the coming weeks, and very soon the funds will run out,” said the UN senior coordinator for the fight against Ebola, Julien Harnais. “Every delay in financing and implementing measures makes this epidemic more deadly, complicates the fight against it, and increases its cost. Therefore, we need international support immediately.”
Since the outbreak was declared on May 15, 5290 cases have been confirmed, including 2516 fatalities. It is reported that 1152 people have recovered, and nearly 840 more remain in isolation or in hospitals. The fatality rate is 47.6 percent. Eighty-two point nine percent of those who had contact with the virus are under observation.
Growth «in geometric progression»
Speaking to journalists via videoconference from Bunia in Ituri province—the epicenter of the outbreak—Harnais warned that the disease “is spreading exponentially.” Half of all deaths were recorded in just the last 20 days.
“The epidemic is spreading over an area larger than the size of France. The outbreak is growing faster and covering a larger territory, outpacing our response measures,” he emphasized.
According to a UN representative, the work of specialists on the ground continues to be complicated by extremely difficult conditions.
In the three months since the Ebola outbreak began, 160 medical workers have been infected, 43 of whom have died. At the same time, the staff fighting the virus’s spread face not only the threat of infection.
“In addition to the threat posed by the virus itself, medical workers and other frontline staff are subjected to attacks by young people, ambulances are set on fire and pelted with stones, and medical facilities are also targeted,” Harneys said.
“The conditions on the ground are extremely difficult, but we will continue to send all necessary humanitarian and medical aid until the work is completed,” he added.
Lack of basic services
Another serious obstacle remains the lack of basic social and state services in the six eastern provinces where the virus is spreading: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Upper Uele, Haut-Uele, and Lower Uele. According to Harnais, this is a direct consequence of decades of armed violence in this resource-rich region.
The situation is also complicated by the limited number of banks.
“The banking system in this area is practically not functioning,” Harneys explained. “We cannot deliver the necessary amount of cash to pay the employees, which causes serious dissatisfaction among the frontline staff.”
U.S. Support
The United States provided the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo with 80 million dollars, specifically to increase the number of hospital beds and to ensure the safe burial of the deceased. However, according to Harnais, the reduction in humanitarian funding, especially in the last two years, has led to a more than 30 percent decrease in the capacities of humanitarian organizations.
Despite these difficulties, UN institutions continue to work together with the authorities of the DRC and partners to combat the spread of Ebola. Among them are the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Harneys emphasized that fear and distrust in the affected communities are largely related to the very nature of the disease.
“It is a disease, an invisible threat that comes to your community, and suddenly people around you start getting sick, and your loved ones die,” he said. “In any community, this causes immense fear.”
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