South Africa has pledged $2.5 million to help the Democratic Republic of Congo respond to the Ebola outbreak, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday, calling on other governments to scale up support amid warnings of growing regional risks.
The Africa CDC said, “The funding will strengthen response operations, including surveillance, laboratory systems, rapid‑response deployments, infection prevention and control, and cross‑border preparedness.”
“South Africa’s leadership reflects the growing importance of African-led financing mechanisms and reinforces the vision of a more resilient, self-reliant and health-secure continent. ”.
It praised President Cyril Ramaphosa’s “timely demonstration of leadership and solidarity”, saying the pledge reinforces the importance of African-led financing for health emergencies.
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The contribution, channelled through the Africa Epidemics Fund, comes days after the WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, with hundreds of suspected and confirmed cases reported across the two countries.
Ebola cases have been rising in eastern DRC, where the Bundibugyo strain has driven a fast‑moving outbreak centred in Ituri and North Kivu provinces.
Uganda has also confirmed cases linked to cross‑border travel, prompting heightened surveillance.
WHO has warned that the true scale of the outbreak is likely larger than reported due to delays in detection and strained health systems, with health workers among the dead.
Africa CDC urged African Union member states, donors and private partners to follow South Africa’s example, saying the outbreak requires urgent, coordinated and adequately financed action to prevent wider regional spread.
AP
