Africa’s top public health agency and officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have raised serious concerns about the unaccounted-for funds in the ongoing Ebola response, calling for greater transparency and accountability as the outbreak continues to expand. The current epidemic, declared in mid-May 2026, is the deadliest in the country’s history and has spread across eight provinces within Congo and into neighboring countries, including Kenya and Uganda.
Since the outbreak began, international donors have reportedly disbursed approximately $962 million to various organizations working on the Ebola response in eastern Congo. However, only about $200 million of that sum has been transparently accounted for, according to Dr. Jean Kaseya, director-general of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This has prompted the Africa CDC to demand clearer financial reporting from humanitarian groups involved.
Only around one-third of the organizations attending a recent meeting hosted by the Congolese Ministry of Health provided financial records. Among those that reported, $228 million was received, $127 million of which was already spent, with approximately $100 million remaining. The organizations involved include United Nations agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the World Food Program, as well as international charities like Save The Children, Médecins du Monde, and several local groups. Dr. Kaseya did not specify which groups had yet to submit financial reports.
The Africa CDC criticized the lack of transparency, stating that withholding financial details impedes government oversight of resource utilization and the impact of the aid efforts. “It is unacceptable for organizations to receive hundreds of millions of dollars to intervene in a country facing a major health emergency without providing a transparent account to the national authorities responsible for coordinating the response,” the agency said.
Congolese authorities confirmed they have not received donor funds directly and have tightened controls over aid groups operating in the country. Only 25 organizations are currently accredited to carry out Ebola-related work, a significant reduction from nearly 100 previously authorized entities. Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba reported that authorities are investigating the whereabouts of the funds and require implementing partners to submit detailed financial disclosures, including sources and expenditure plans. Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya emphasized the need for clarity on fund distribution and operational activities on the ground.
Meanwhile, the outbreak has resulted in at least 9,400 confirmed cases and over 4,500 deaths. The Ebola strain involved is the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant with no approved vaccine or specific treatment available. Challenges such as mass population movements, ongoing rebel conflicts, local mistrust, and poor conditions for frontline workers have all contributed to the rapid spread of the virus.
In response to the regional threat, several neighboring countries are intensifying their preparedness measures. Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health announced enhanced coordination with regional health bureaus and partners to prevent an outbreak, implementing health screenings at entry points, establishing isolation units, and organizing rapid response teams. Similarly, Sierra Leone has bolstered surveillance and screening at airports and land borders, particularly for travelers from Ebola-affected nations.
The continued spread of Ebola beyond Congo’s borders, including Kenya’s recent confirmation of multiple cases linked to the outbreak, underscores the urgency of coordinated, transparent efforts to control the epidemic and ensure that funding reaches frontline responders effectively.