Africa CDC Welcomes US$2.5 M Support for Ebola Response in DRC and Uganda

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has welcomed South Africa’s multimillion-dollar contribution to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in combating the ongoing Ebola outbreak, describing the move as a powerful demonstration of African solidarity and leadership in continental health security.

South Africa has pledged:

US$2.5 million

through the:

Africa CDC Africa Epidemics Fund

to strengthen emergency response efforts as health authorities race to contain the deadly outbreak.

The announcement comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) earlier this week declared the Ebola outbreak a:

Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)

following reports of hundreds of confirmed and suspected cases.

Africa CDC Praises South Africa’s Leadership

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Africa CDC expressed deep appreciation to the South African government, its people and President Cyril Ramaphosa for the timely intervention.

“Africa CDC expresses its sincere appreciation to the people and Government of South Africa, and to H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, for this timely demonstration of leadership, solidarity and commitment to Africa’s collective health security,” the organisation said.

The continental health body stated that South Africa’s support sends a strong message that African nations are prepared to stand together during public health emergencies threatening the continent.

“At a time when the continent faces increasing public health threats with significant risks of cross-border transmission, South Africa’s contribution sends a strong and reassuring message that Africa stands united in protecting the lives and well-being of its people,” Africa CDC said.

Funding to Support Critical Ebola Response Operations

According to Africa CDC, the funding will help strengthen several urgent response measures, including:

• Continental coordination

• Disease surveillance

• Laboratory systems

• Rapid response deployment

• Infection prevention and control

• Cross-border preparedness

• Community support programmes

Officials stated that these interventions are essential to slowing transmission, protecting vulnerable communities and preventing wider regional spread.

Push for African-Led Health Financing

Africa CDC emphasized that South Africa’s contribution reflects the growing importance of:

African-led financing mechanisms

in responding to continental health emergencies.

The organisation said the pledge reinforces Africa’s vision of becoming:

• More resilient

• Self-reliant

• Better prepared for future health crises

“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,” the statement read.

The contribution was also described as:

“African solidarity in action”

and a reflection of the continent’s shared responsibility in protecting public health.

Call for More International Support

Africa CDC urged:

• African Union member states

• Donor governments

• Development partners

• Philanthropic organisations

• Private sector stakeholders

to contribute to the:

Africa Epidemics Fund

and support ongoing outbreak response operations.

“The current outbreak demands urgent, coordinated and adequately financed action to contain transmission, save lives and prevent wider regional escalation,” Africa CDC warned.

WHO Intensifies Emergency Operations in DRC

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization said it is rapidly expanding its support to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to contain and halt the Ebola outbreak.

WHO confirmed that more than:

35 experts and first responders

from the WHO and the DRC Ministry of Health have already been deployed to affected areas.

Additional emergency teams are also being mobilised as the response intensifies.

Key WHO Response Priorities

WHO said emergency operations are focused on:

• Disease surveillance

• Early detection of cases

• Clinical care

• Infection prevention and control

• Community engagement

• Public health awareness

Health officials stressed that rapid identification and isolation of cases remain critical to preventing further spread.

MONUSCO Assisting With Logistics and Emergency Transport

The:

United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

has also been assisting response efforts by providing:

• Airlift support

• Ground transport access

• Logistics coordination

WHO said MONUSCO has played a crucial role in transporting emergency supplies from Nairobi to outbreak areas and improving operational access.

WHO Africa Head of Regional Emergency Operations and Logistics:

Adama Thiam

praised the collaboration.

“The collaboration with MONUSCO has been pivotal in ensuring a swift response. Their ability to provide airlift support significantly enhances our logistics capabilities,” Thiam said.

Ethiopian Airlines Supports Emergency Supply Deliveries

WHO also confirmed that:

Ethiopian Airlines

reprioritised flights to facilitate the urgent delivery of emergency medical cargo to affected regions.

Officials said the airline’s support has significantly improved the speed of emergency logistics operations during the outbreak.

Emergency Medical Supplies Delivered

According to WHO, emergency materials delivered so far include:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Medical kits

• Tents

• Water, sanitation and hygiene supplies

These supplies are essential for:

• Protecting frontline healthcare workers

• Preventing infections

• Managing Ebola patients

• Supporting treatment facilities

WHO confirmed that additional supplies are already in transit from Kinshasa and are expected to arrive in Ituri province in the coming days.

Ebola Remains One of the World’s Deadliest Diseases

Health experts continue to warn that Ebola remains one of the world’s most dangerous viral diseases because of its:

• High fatality rate

• Rapid transmission potential

• Severe impact on healthcare systems

• Risk of cross-border spread

The outbreak has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of health systems across parts of Africa and the need for stronger regional preparedness mechanisms.

Africa CDC Reaffirms Commitment to Continental Health Security

Africa CDC said it remains fully committed to working closely with:

• Affected member states

• The African Union Commission

• Regional economic communities

• International health partners

to ensure a rapid and coordinated Africa-led response.

Officials stated that stronger continental cooperation, emergency financing and public health coordination are becoming increasingly important as Africa faces growing risks from infectious disease outbreaks.

Pandemic Preparedness Becoming Major Continental Priority

The latest Ebola outbreak has further highlighted the need for:

• Stronger disease surveillance systems

• Improved laboratory capacity

• Faster emergency financing

• Better healthcare infrastructure

• Cross-border coordination

Analysts believe Africa’s increasing investment in self-reliant health systems and regional emergency response mechanisms could significantly strengthen future pandemic preparedness across the continent.