France to increase Ebola aid in eastern DRC as resurgence risk looms
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced plans to boost funding for Ebola control in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, warning of a rapid resurgence if vigilance slips.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot traveled to the north-eastern Congolese city of Bunia to underscore France's commitment to Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He noted that France had allocated €13.4 million to Ebola initiatives between January and July and intends to propose further humanitarian funding in upcoming budget talks. Barrot warned that the virus could quickly resurge without sustained vigilance, urging action at the outbreak source.
He commended Congolese officials, UN agencies, NGOs, and medical staff for limiting spread to major urban areas. A national humanitarian conference in Paris will discuss Ebola on October 6, reinforcing the focus on prevention.
Why it matters
Enhanced funding aims to stop Ebola from spreading again, protecting vulnerable populations in the DRC and beyond.
How this story developed
- Aug 23 Ebola toll in DRC climbs to over 5,500 cases as Pope calls for global aid
- Aug 31 The epidemic has spread to the Biena and Manguredjipa health zones, increasing the total number of affected zones to 60.
- Sep 1 More than 50,000 vaccine doses arrived for frontline workers.
- Sep 2 Confirmed cases rise to 6,186 and deaths increase to 3,007.
- Sep 13 A case confirmed in South‑Ubangi marked the virus’s spread to a seventh province.
- Sep 17 Confirmed cases have risen to over 7,200 and deaths to more than 3,500 since the outbreak was first declared.
- Sep 21 Vaccination of frontline health workers began in Ituri province.
- Sep 27 WHO confirmed spread of the Bundibugyo strain to the Bulu and Dungu health zones.
- Oct 2 South Ubangi province reported its first cases, expanding the outbreak to a seventh region.
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