Africa CDC and WHO Launch Unified Ebola Response, Aim to Raise $518 Million for African Countries' Support

Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a joint continental preparedness and six‑month response plan yesterday. The initiative aims to raise $518 million to support African countries in containing the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus.

The press release, issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, outlined a plan covering June to November 2026 that will unite governments, partners, and communities under a single “One Response” framework. The framework seeks to strengthen outbreak response measures, including emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics, and support for essential health services.

Key focus areas include protecting vulnerable populations, enhancing cross‑border collaboration, and enabling rapid responses to new cases. The plan also intends to broaden Africa’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to future health threats, thereby safeguarding lives and livelihoods.

Another objective is to reinforce health systems so they remain resilient while countries address acute emergencies, especially given that no licensed vaccines or therapeutics are currently approved for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola.

The plan will complement national response strategies already launched by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director‑General of Africa CDC, said, “Ebola moves fast. Africa must move faster. This joint plan gives the continent a clear path to act with speed and unity: to save lives, support the affected countries and protect neighbouring communities.”

He added, “With member states, WHO and partners, Africa CDC is turning commitment into action and resources into response for the communities at risk.”

WHO Director‑General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed this sentiment, stating, “The only way to beat this outbreak is through close partnership, working together under the leadership of the affected countries in one coordinated effort, guided by a simple principle: one plan, one budget, one team.”

Ghebreyesus further noted, “Containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustained financing, and the trust and engagement of communities.” He emphasized that the plan places communities at the center, because without their participation, contact tracing falters, safe care is delayed, and transmission continues.

Africa CDC and WHO reported that preparedness and response activities are already underway across affected and at‑risk countries. In ten priority countries, critical measures are being strengthened to improve public health emergency preparedness, early detection, and swift response.

The plan also stresses the importance of maintaining support for other ongoing health emergencies—such as mpox, cholera, and measles—to prevent disruptions to essential response efforts and to protect progress toward more resilient health systems.

As response operations accelerate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, authorities, with assistance from Africa CDC, WHO, and partners, are intensifying efforts to curb the spread of the virus and end the outbreak.

Member states are urged to reinforce screening and public health measures at points of entry and to enhance cross‑border coordination and solidarity, thereby supporting a timely, effective, and evidence‑based response.

Through the joint preparedness and response plan, the continent intends to mobilize its collective expertise and resources to reinforce response measures, acting as one to control the outbreak and protect communities across the region.

Successful implementation will require strong political commitment, sustained investment, and close collaboration among governments, health workers, communities, and partners.