The Africa CDC praised the historic mobilization achieved during the G20+ Foreign Ministers' meeting, highlighting the potential for unity among political leaders, affected countries, and international partners to eradicate Ebola. This recognition was made in a statement from the African Union institution regarding the meeting held last week, parallel to the UN General Assembly.
Financial commitments established since the beginning of the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRCongo) now total almost $2.9 billion, equivalent to approximately 2.5 billion euros. Of this total, about $700 million (615 million euros) was announced specifically at the meeting held in New York last week.
The Africa CDC emphasized that this unprecedented mobilization of resources and material aid must be quickly converted into disbursements, effective implementation, and visible results in the affected communities. The organization also issued an emphatic appeal for transparency in the use of these funds.
Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, stated in the communiqué that it is crucial to monitor every dollar, from the moment of commitment to disbursement, through implementing partners, expenditures, and finally, the services provided to affected populations.
According to the table attached to the communiqué, the United States leads the financial contribution to the fight against Ebola, with $887 million (780 million euros). Following them are the European Union, with $568 million (499 million euros), and the World Bank, which committed $433 million, corresponding to about 380 million euros.
This announcement of committed amounts coincides with the alarming increase in confirmed cases of the Ebola virus in DRCongo, which has exceeded the mark of 8,000, and the number of deaths approaching 4,000, aggravated by the shortage of health professionals in the country to control the epidemic.
DRCongo reported a new Ebola outbreak on May 15, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which currently has no known treatment or vaccine. The country, neighboring Angola, faces great difficulties in controlling this situation.
More recent data from the DRCongo Ministry of Health, released on Sunday, indicates that 8,067 confirmed cases and 3,901 deaths were recorded up to September 26, distributed across 63 health posts in seven of the 26 national provinces, resulting in a mortality rate of 48.4%. Additionally, the same source reported that at least 2,070 individuals recovered from the disease.
The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the body fluids of infected people or animals and causes a severe hemorrhagic fever, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding.