The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a $13 million grant to support the response to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak and strengthen efforts to prevent its spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), South Sudan and Uganda.

The financing package includes a $10 million grant reallocated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo's country portfolio, which will be implemented through the World Health Organization (WHO). An additional $3 million grant, sourced from the Multi-Country Emergency Assistance Project covering DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, will be implemented by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak, will receive a total of $11 million, including the $10 million from its national portfolio and $1 million from the regional emergency project. Uganda and South Sudan will each receive $1 million under the same regional initiative.

The funding supports the Ebola Virus Disease Response Plan and aims to contain the spread of the virus while reducing mortality and illness in the most affected and vulnerable areas. The program will strengthen early case detection, disease surveillance, community engagement, public awareness campaigns and regional coordination. Implementation will be carried out in close collaboration with the ministries of health of the three beneficiary countries.

"This emergency support reflects the African Development Bank Group's commitment to standing alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries in protecting lives, strengthening the resilience of health systems and preventing the further spread of the outbreak," said Mohamed Cherif, Deputy Director General for Central Africa at the African Development Bank Group and Head of its Country Office in DR Congo. "Through this support, the Bank Group reaffirms its commitment to remaining engaged during times of crisis in its regional member countries."

On May 15, 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced a new Ebola outbreak centered in Ituri Province in the country's east, particularly affecting Bunia, Rwampara and Mongwalu. The outbreak marks the country's 17th recorded Ebola epidemic and has since spread to the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

The World Health Organization confirmed the outbreak and activated its second-highest level of international emergency response following confirmed cross-border transmission into Uganda. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a particularly dangerous variant for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.