UN appeals for $1.1bn to tackle fast-growing Ebola outbreak in DRC

The United Nations (UN) is warning that the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could run out of money within weeks.

The UN is appealing for an additional $1.1 billion to prevent an already fast-growing epidemic from becoming a catastrophe.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the outbreak is spreading faster than the international effort to contain it, with more than 2,700 people already dead.

Guterres says the money already available to fight Ebola could run out within weeks.

“ My main message is this: The outbreak is the fastest-growing Ebola epidemic on record.

It is growing faster and wider than the response to contain it.

But it can be stopped.

We know how to contain Ebola, how to interrupt transmission, and how to save lives.

But we must also overcome another virus, the virus of indifference.

Because international attention, political focus and resources are still lagging behind the reality unfolding on the ground.

The Ebola crisis is first and foremost a human tragedy affecting families and communities on an extraordinary scale.

The Ebola crisis is first and foremost a human tragedy affecting families and communities on an extraordinary scale.

It is now the largest Ebola outbreak in the history of the DRC.” U.N.

Secretary-General warns that the Ebola epidemic in the DRC is the fastest growing outbreak on record and yet the response plan could run out of money within weeks; appeals for $1.1 billion dollars for humanitarian needs and response plan. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/4GiynnG2lJ — Sherwin Bryce-Pease (@sherwiebp) August 27, 2026 More than 5,600 cases have been confirmed and at least 2,715 people have died since the outbreak began .