UN Demands 1.1 Billion Dollars As Ebola Outbreak In Congo Worsens

(Antonio Guterres. Photo Credit: AI Jazeera)

The United Nations is asking for 1.1 billion dollars more to fully fund an Ebola response plan in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The total plan costs 2.1 billion dollars and so far has only received enough money to cover 48 percent of the costs.

The UN chief said current funding will last only weeks, not months.

Without more money now, important operations will run out of resources just when they need to expand.

He is calling for the remaining 1.1 billion dollars and warned that even more money will be needed in the future.

The Ebola outbreak in Congo has confirmed more than 5,600 cases and over 2,700 deaths since May 15.

The virus is a rare type called Bundibugyo for which there are no vaccines or treatments.

This is the biggest Ebola outbreak Congo has ever seen.

The previous outbreak in Congo from 2018 to 2020 killed 2,299 people out of 3,381 confirmed cases, which was considered the deadliest until now.

The response faces challenges because some communities are refusing testing and resisting efforts to control the spread.

The World Health Organization is working to reach communities where the virus is spreading.

The European Union announced it is sending testing kits worth 2.5 million euros to help with the response.