Pretoria: Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced that the Cabinet welcomed the African Development Bank Group's (AfDB) approval of a US$13 million emergency grant to bolster efforts to contain the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan. The funding, as outlined by the Minister during a recent media briefing on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting, aims to reinforce national emergency response efforts, curb the virus's spread, and reduce mortality and illness in the most affected and vulnerable communities.
According to South African Government News Agency, the funding comes in response to calls from President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his role as the African Union (AU) Champion for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPPR). President Ramaphosa has advocated for greater African solidarity, urgent humanitarian assistance, and increased investment in African-led health innovation. The Ebola outbreak, initially reported by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 15 May 2026, began in the Ituri province and has since spread to the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
The approved funding package includes $10 million reallocated from the African Development Bank Group's existing DRC portfolio, which will be administered through the World Health Organisation. An additional $3 million will be sourced from the bank's Multi-Country Emergency Assistance Project, with implementation coordinated by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The DRC, at the outbreak's epicenter, will receive $11 million, while Uganda and South Sudan will each receive $1 million.
The funds will be utilized in collaboration with national health ministries to enhance early diagnosis, epidemiological surveillance, community engagement, public awareness, and regional coordination. The outbreak is attributed to the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, noted for its high virulence. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive containment measures.