Oluwatobi Adu 
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Pandemic Fund has approved an emergency financing package worth $220.6 million to strengthen Ebola preparedness and response efforts across Central and Eastern Africa as health authorities intensify efforts to contain the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
The funding was welcomed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday and is expected to support both outbreak response activities in affected countries and preparedness measures in nations considered vulnerable to cross-border transmission.
According to the Africa CDC on Friday, the outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has already resulted in cross-border transmission, raising concerns about wider regional spread.
The emergency funding follows declarations by both Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) in May 2026 categorising the outbreak as a major public health emergency requiring urgent continental action.
Africa CDC Director-General, Dr. Jean Kaseya, described the financing as a critical intervention in Africa’s efforts to contain the disease.
“This financing is a major boost to the ongoing efforts of affected countries and partners to bring the outbreak under control while strengthening preparedness across the region,” Kaseya said.
“It demonstrates the Pandemic Fund’s deep recognition of the importance of acting early, acting collectively, and investing in national and regional capacities to protect communities from current and future health threats.”
The organisation explained that the funding will complement the existing $465 million Continental Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, jointly developed by Africa CDC and WHO.
The six-month plan focuses on strengthening emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, clinical management, logistics, research, risk communication, and community engagement.
Under the arrangement, approximately $175.7 million will be reallocated from ongoing projects to support response operations in affected and high-risk countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia.
An additional $44.9 million will be disbursed through expedited financing mechanisms to support preparedness and response activities in Uganda, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.
Africa CDC noted that beneficiary countries would determine priority interventions based on existing gaps, risk assessments and immediate operational needs.
About the Author
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Korede Abdullah