The United States Department of State has announced additional $242 million in funding to combat the escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, bringing total U.S. direct assistance to over $512 million.
The announcement comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the outbreak, driven by the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, has become the largest and second-deadliest in history.
The Escalating Crisis
The outbreak, first declared on May 15, 2026, has rapidly expanded across the DRC, particularly in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, and Tshopo.
As of August 3, DRC officials reported 3,695 confirmed cases and 1,623 deaths, resulting in a crude case fatality ratio of 44%.
The WHO has warned that the current outbreak is expanding faster than any previous Ebola crisis.
While the 2018-2020 outbreak took over 10 months to reach 2,000 cases, the current crisis surpassed that milestone in just two months.
The Bundibugyo strain, unlike the Zaire strain seen in previous outbreaks, currently has no approved vaccines or targeted therapeutics, complicating response efforts.
The crisis is exacerbated by the complex humanitarian and conflict-affected setting in eastern DRC.
Ongoing insecurity and attacks on health facilities have hindered response operations, restricted access for medical teams, and fueled public distrust.
In July, healthcare workers at a major Ebola treatment center in Bunia went on strike, demanding unpaid salaries and better security, further straining the response.
Meanwhile, Uganda, which reported 20 cases since mid-May, has made significant progress.
The country has discharged its last Ebola patient and is currently in a 42-day monitoring period. If no new locally transmitted cases emerge, Uganda will be declared Ebola-free.
U.S. Response and Aid
In response to the crisis, the Trump Administration has pledged $242 million in immediate funding for Ebola response and preparedness efforts.
This aligns with the U.S. government’s commitment at the G7 Leader’s Summit in June to provide up to an additional $500 million.
Beyond direct Ebola response, the U.S. has allocated $350 million for humanitarian assistance in the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda, contributing to a broader $1.8 billion aid package announced in May.
The Department of State also emphasized its commitment to protecting American citizens.
A 24/7 consular call center is providing real-time updates, and financial assistance loans are available for U.S. citizens needing to alter travel plans or secure lodging outside the DRC. Travel advisories for the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan remain at Level 4: Do Not Travel.
The Global Funding Gap
Despite the significant U.S. contribution, the international response continues to face substantial funding shortfalls. WHO’s joint continental preparedness and response plan with Africa CDC still faces a funding gap of more than $400 million.
UNICEF reported an 80% funding gap for its specific response plan as of late June, while the World Food Programme (WFP) requires $101 million for the next six months to support logistics and food assistance critical to containing the virus.
The U.S. Department of State called on other international donors to increase their financial commitments to help tackle the unprecedented outbreak.
