A doctor taking down notes./Photo courtesy
The Gates Foundation has announced an initial US$15 million emergency funding package to support efforts to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The funding comes as health authorities across the region intensify efforts to prevent wider cross-border transmission and strengthen emergency response systems.
In a statement, the foundation expressed concern over the growing impact of the outbreak on affected communities, while recognising the work of frontline health workers, laboratory teams, responders, and community volunteers involved in containment efforts.
“We are deeply concerned by the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda,” the statement read.
The foundation said the support would back African-led response efforts already being coordinated by governments, regional health agencies, and international partners, including Africa CDC and World Health Organization.
According to the funding breakdown, US$5 million will go to Africa CDC to support regional coordination, rapid deployment teams, and cross-border surveillance systems.
Another US$5 million will support frontline operations through the WHO Regional Office for Africa, while an additional US$5 million has been allocated to WHO headquarters for emergency procurement, diagnostics, and logistics support.
The foundation noted that the funding is intended to ensure resources are placed as close to affected countries and communities as possible.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccines or therapeutics, increasing pressure on governments and health agencies to rely heavily on rapid detection, public health measures, and coordinated containment strategies.
The Gates Foundation also pointed to the importance of the Joint Emergency Action Plan (JEAP), a collaboration framework between Africa CDC and WHO AFRO designed to improve coordination during health emergencies and avoid fragmented responses.
While immediate containment remains the priority, the foundation said it continues to support research and development efforts around vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics through partners such as Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
“In an outbreak, every day matters,” the foundation said.
“Early coordination and rapid action are the difference between containment and wider regional spread.”
The foundation added that it would continue monitoring the evolving situation alongside governments and health partners to determine whether additional support may be required in the coming weeks.
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