Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The latest DR Congo Ebola outbreak could eliminate tens of thousands of jobs, push nearly one million more people into poverty and cost African economies up to $3.6 billion, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned.
In a report released on Tuesday, the UNDP says the outbreak is evolving beyond a public health emergency into a wider socioeconomic crisis, with far-reaching consequences for livelihoods, trade, education and healthcare across Central and East Africa.
According to the agency, the epidemic could push an additional 985,000 people into poverty, with women expected to bear the greatest economic burden.
“The Ebola crisis also risks eliminating tens of thousands of jobs, disrupting education and healthcare services, and costing African economies up to $3.6 billion if broader regional and global shocks intensify,” the UNDP says.
The DR Congo Ebola outbreak is centred in the conflict-affected Ituri Province, where health authorities continue efforts to contain the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The World Health Organization reports 1,333 confirmed cases, 399 deaths and 189 recoveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda has also confirmed 20 cases, raising concerns about cross-border transmission.
UNDP Africa Regional Director Ahunna Eziakonwa says governments and development partners must recognise the wider consequences of the outbreak.
“Ebola does not stop at the hospital gate. It affects livelihoods, education, food security, trade, public finances and trust. If we treat this Ebola outbreak solely as a health challenge, we risk missing the much larger development emergency unfolding around it.”
UNDP projects that the Democratic Republic of Congo alone could lose more than $1 billion in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and approximately 55,000 jobs.
Across Africa, disrupted trade, transport delays, border restrictions, declining consumer confidence and interruptions to informal markets could reduce continental GDP by $2.37 billion, the agency warns.
About the Author
Korede Abdullah 
