New York: The UN on Wednesday said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released an additional US$ 3.4 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
This update was provided to journalists during a briefing at the UN headquarters in New York, following the announcement of new funding.
“The epidemic has spread. Cases have now been reported in several urban areas, including Bunia, Goma, and Kampala,” said WHO Head, Tedros Ghebreyesu.
Continuing, he highlighted the challenges posed by significant population movements in the DR Congo, where the outbreak remains prevalent.
He noted that the additional US$ 3.4 million support brings the total to US$ 3.9 million.
In addition, he said WFP colleagues on the ground were reporting that the Ebola outbreak could worsen food insecurity unless access constraints are overcome and assistance is scaled up.
He said the food agency was working closely with the Government of the DRC, WHO, and partners to support a coordinated response – facilitating the movement of responders, medical supplies, and essential cargo, especially to hard-to-reach areas, many of which are in that region.
Additionally, our WFP colleagues plan to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to patients, vulnerable families, contact cases, and affected families.
“As we mentioned, they have mobilised immediately, leveraging their operational footprint and long-standing presence in the eastern DRC, and helped to transport 40 aid workers and critical medical equipment to affected areas on the frontlines of the outbreak.
This support remains ongoing. He reminded that 26.5 million people across the DRC are already facing acute food insecurity, with needs far exceeding available assistance.
Almost 10 million people are facing crisis or emergency levels of hunger in the eastern part of the country. Again, without sustained support, we risk leaving the most vulnerable exposed to both disease and hunger,’’ he said.
