The Gates Foundation has pledged more than Ksh.1.94 billion ($15 million) in emergency financing to bolster efforts to contain the escalating Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo amid growing concerns over the rapid spread of the virus across the region.
In a statement, the Foundation said the funding package was strategically structured to ensure that the bulk of the resources are channelled directly to affected countries and local communities to strengthen frontline response mechanisms.
Under the allocation plan, Ksh.647 million ($5 million) will be directed to the Africa CDC to support regional coordination, rapid response deployment and enhanced cross-border surveillance.
An additional Ksh.647 million ($5 million) will go to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa for frontline operational support, while a further allocation will be channelled to World Health Organization headquarters to facilitate rapid procurement, diagnostics and emergency logistics for critical response supplies.
The renewed intervention comes after the Democratic Republic of Congo officially declared an Ebola outbreak on May 15 linked to the Bundibugyo strain, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.
According to the latest update issued by the Congolese health ministry on Saturday, at least 204 deaths have been reported across three provinces from approximately 900 suspected cases, raising fears of a worsening public health crisis.
In neighbouring Uganda, authorities have confirmed three additional infections, pushing the total number of recorded cases to five, as the WHO warned that the deadly virus was spreading at an alarming pace.
The Foundation called for intensified surveillance, stronger public health interventions, protection of frontline medical personnel and coordinated international action to prevent further transmission.
“Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, the communities facing uncertainty, and the frontline health workers, laboratory teams, responders, and community volunteers working under extremely difficult conditions to protect lives,” read the statement in part.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has announced up to £20 million (about Ksh.3.4 billion) in additional funding to reinforce containment measures and support ongoing response operations.
The British funding is expected to support the WHO, United Nations agencies, international humanitarian organisations and NGO partners actively involved in combating the outbreak.
