The UK Government has unveiled a major new funding package worth more than £50 million to help contain the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The announcement, made by FCDO Minister for Africa, Kirsty McNeill, brings total UK support for the response to £78 million and reflects growing international concern over what is becoming one of the most severe Ebola crises ever recorded.
Health experts warn that the outbreak is on track to become the largest and deadliest Ebola epidemic in history. The spread of the disease is being intensified by ongoing conflict, large-scale displacement and deep-rooted humanitarian challenges across affected regions of the DRC.
The latest UK funding package has been designed to strengthen frontline efforts to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable communities. Support will focus on:
- Enhancing disease surveillance and outbreak monitoring
- Strengthening infection prevention and control measures
- Supporting frontline healthcare workers
- Expanding access to treatment services
- Improving community engagement and public health awareness
- Supporting safe and dignified burial practices
The announcement was made during Parliament's return, underlining the importance the Government is placing on preventing further loss of life and reducing the risk of international transmission.
The UK has already played a significant role in supporting regional efforts through partnerships with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations, and humanitarian organisations operating on the ground.
British public health specialists have also been deployed across affected areas to support disease surveillance, infection prevention, community engagement programmes and wider outbreak preparedness measures.
Minister for Africa Kirsty McNeill said:
"Families across the DRC are living through unimaginable loss as Ebola tears through communities, claiming lives, and leaving thousands more fighting for survival.
“We know that speed saves lives, which is why we were amongst the first to commit support and experts to the region, but as the outbreak intensifies, we are accelerating our response to match the pace and scale of the challenge.”
The UK is already supporting the regional response through partnerships with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization, the United Nations and humanitarian organisations working on the front line. British public health experts have also been deployed across the region to support surveillance, infection prevention, community engagement and outbreak preparedness.
Public health officials continue to stress that rapid intervention is essential in controlling Ebola outbreaks. Investment in surveillance, treatment capacity and community engagement can significantly reduce transmission rates and improve outcomes for affected populations.
With instability and humanitarian pressures complicating the response in the DRC, international cooperation remains critical to preventing further escalation and protecting both regional and global public health.
The UK's enhanced commitment signals a renewed determination to support international partners in containing the disease while helping vulnerable communities access life-saving care and support.
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