Published on: 2026-09-02
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
September 1, 2026 Healthcare
Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has called on the international community to urgently scale up assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in connection with the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic in the history of combating this disease.
The seriousness of the outbreak in recent weeks has been repeatedly warned about by the UN Secretary-General, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), and Fletcher himself. “We must turn this alarm into action,” he stressed.
The epidemic has spread across a country already experiencing a deep humanitarian crisis: nearly 11 million people require aid here, and the armed conflict is forcing families to flee their homes amid acute food shortages.
The scale of response measures is increasing, but the virus is spreading even faster, Fletcher warned. The outbreak has already been recorded in six provinces, including those where an insecure situation limits access for humanitarian workers and where healthcare systems are initially weak. Under such conditions, it is more difficult to identify the infected, track their contacts, treat patients, and earn people’s trust.
The outbreak is especially hard on women and girls, primarily pregnant ones. Children who have lost their parents and guardians become easy prey for human traffickers.
“This is not just a public health emergency. It is a humanitarian crisis superimposed on many pre-existing ones,” Fletcher noted.
Targeted measures are not enough
The emergency aid coordinator highly praised the efforts of the DRC government, which operates with the support of UN agencies and other partners. Operational centers were launched, funds were mobilized, and within the framework of the “humanitarian reboot,” a unified system for coordinating efforts was established.
However, responding with targeted measures to an epidemic that is growing “geometrically” is no longer possible, Fletcher warned. A large-scale and long-term operation is needed, capable of outpacing the virus: more places to treat patients, more teams ensuring safe and dignified funerals, and reliable access for humanitarian workers and supplies.
“You cannot fight Ebola in isolation from everything else,” he said. “People need functioning medical services, clean water, sanitation, food, protection, and livelihoods. And most importantly—trust.”
Those working on the frontline of the fight against the epidemic are taking enormous risks: more than 40 healthcare workers have died from Ebola fever while saving others, and treatment centers and ambulances have been attacked multiple times. Fletcher called for protection for medical workers.
Funds are insufficient
Preparedness measures have been strengthened in neighboring countries as well, primarily in South Sudan and the Central African Republic, which themselves are experiencing severe humanitarian crises. Last week, WHO announced the end of the outbreak in Uganda – there have been no new cases registered there for 42 days.
The revised humanitarian plan for the DRC for 2026 is estimated at $2.1 billion, of which $300 million is allocated directly to fight Ebola. Meanwhile, donors have provided only about half of the necessary funds. “The virus will not wait until we find this money,” Fletcher noted.
From the Central Emergency Response Fund, Fletcher allocated more than 57 million dollars for assistance and preparedness in the DRC and neighboring countries.
Fletcher addressed the states with three appeals. The first is to use their influence to keep the crisis at the center of the international agenda. The second is to ensure the safe and rapid movement of humanitarian personnel and cargo. The third is to increase funding and make it more flexible, not only for combating Ebola but also for the entire humanitarian operation in the DRC.
“We have experience, resources, and wonderful people risking their lives to stop this epidemic. What is needed now is political will, access, and resources,” concluded the UN representative. “We have already defeated Ebola. We can do it again this time.”
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.