UK boosts Ebola response in eastern DRC with Ksh.3.4B support to curb spread

The United Kingdom has announced up to £20 million (about Ksh.3.4 billion) in new funding to help contain the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to a statement released on Friday, the funding will support the World Health Organisation, the UN, international agencies and NGO partners responding to the outbreak.

The support is expected to strengthen disease surveillance, support frontline health workers, improve infection prevention and control measures, and help affected communities access lifesaving care.

Most confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in the Ituri region in eastern DRC, an area already facing humanitarian and security challenges.

The UK government said humanitarian partners were already on the ground working to contain the outbreak.

Through the Strategic Assistance for Emergency Response (SAFER) consortium, the UK said it was redirecting funding towards improving water, sanitation and hygiene systems, providing personal protective equipment to frontline responders and strengthening Ebola containment measures.

The support will also focus on protecting maternity facilities and supporting civil society organisations to help prevent the spread of the disease and reduce risks linked to birth complications and sexual violence during the outbreak.

Speaking after chairing a cross-government meeting on the outbreak, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said urgent action was needed to stop the spread of the disease.

“It is vital we act now to save lives – outbreaks like Ebola do not stop at borders, and neither can we,” said Cooper.

“This outbreak is a stark reminder that global health threats require a global response. The UK is working hand-in-hand with partners – boosting much-needed funding but also sharing our technical expertise, to contain the outbreak, protect our security, and support those most at risk.”

The UK Health Security Agency said it was monitoring the situation and working with government agencies to ensure travellers entering the UK from affected countries receive information on Ebola symptoms and how to seek healthcare if unwell.

The UK has also updated its travel advisory, warning against all but essential travel to some parts of the DRC.

Meanwhile, UKHSA said the risk posed to the UK population remains low despite the seriousness of the outbreak.

“While the current outbreak of Ebola affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is serious, the risk it poses to the UK population is low,” said Dr Mike Reynolds, Incident Director at UKHSA.

The UK government noted that it has been supporting the DRC government through health emergency programmes, including efforts to respond to Ebola, Mpox and cholera outbreaks since 2024.