EU, G7 Pledge Support Amid Ebola Outbreak in DRC
The European Commission and G7 leaders have pledged increased support to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has already killed 196 people and infected over 800.
The European Commission announced on Wednesday that it is expanding a support program worth approximately €493 million in humanitarian aid and health security in response to the latest Ebola outbreak centered in Ituri province in eastern DRC. This follows a G7 summit in Evian, France, where leaders called for a strong and coordinated international response, praising support from the US, EU, and others.
According to the DRC government late Tuesday, the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has resulted in 837 confirmed cases and 196 deaths, with 29 cases recorded in the past 24 hours. EU health authorities consider the risk to European citizens low but stress the importance of cooperation. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, 'This is a reminder that health security is shared security.'
G7 leaders issued a joint statement calling for a 'strong and coordinated response' to address the health security risks posed by the outbreak, which the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern. Guest leaders from Egypt, India, Kenya, and South Korea also backed the call. The statement expressed deep sadness for the loss of life and noted that the outbreak is centered in an isolated, conflict-affected area, making containment and treatment challenging.
This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC. The deadliest occurred between 2018 and 2020, claiming nearly 2,300 lives. Most current cases are clustered around a gold mining hub near the Ugandan border. Some cases have been recorded in Uganda, prompting travel restrictions from several countries. Uganda has urged these restrictions to be lifted, arguing the situation is under control. The Red Cross warned Tuesday that the outbreak has not yet peaked.
