NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has urged governments and donors to accelerate support for the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The outbreak has spread across six provinces and continues to strain health services. Fletcher told UN member states that humanitarian teams need faster funding and reliable access to affected communities. The appeal comes as authorities confront thousands of infections, widespread displacement and continuing insecurity in several areas.
The World Health Organization said the outbreak had exceeded 6,000 reported cases by September 1, with almost 3,000 deaths. Sixty health zones have reported infections across Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Bas-Uélé and Tshopo. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described it as the second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded. He also said it was spreading faster than previous outbreaks. Ituri has remained the main centre of transmission since the emergency began.
Health authorities first detected the outbreak in May 2026, and tests identified the Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus. WHO classified the event as a public health emergency of international concern. By August 26, officials had confirmed 5,794 cases and 2,786 deaths. The same update recorded 1,293 recoveries. Response teams continue testing suspected cases, tracing contacts and treating patients while carrying out community outreach in affected districts.
Conflict and displacement intensify pressure on responders
The Ebola response is taking place during a broader humanitarian crisis across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fletcher said almost 11 million people need humanitarian assistance because of conflict, displacement, hunger and malnutrition. Violence in eastern areas has restricted access for medical teams and relief workers. The United Nations activated an emergency response mechanism on June 9. Humanitarian hubs in Bunia and Beni are supporting operations closer to communities facing the outbreak.
Medical workers remain among the groups facing the greatest exposure. Fletcher said more than 40 healthcare workers have died from Ebola during the current outbreak. Earlier WHO figures showed 151 confirmed infections among health and care workers by July 30, including 44 deaths. Health agencies have increased infection-control measures, clinical training and protective support. WHO has also reported transmission chains that remain unidentified, along with deaths outside treatment centres.
Funding needs rise alongside vaccine research
The revised 2026 humanitarian response plan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires $2.1 billion. Of that amount, $300 million is allocated to Ebola-related operations. Fletcher called for larger and more flexible contributions to support both the outbreak response and wider humanitarian needs. WHO has separately said the government-led six-month Ebola plan needs $1.3 billion. The funding covers surveillance, treatment centres, laboratories, community engagement and other public health work across affected provinces.
WHO also updated its vaccine guidance on September 1 as researchers continue studying protection against the Bundibugyo virus. The organization said current evidence does not establish whether the licensed Ervebo vaccine provides meaningful protection against this Ebola species in humans. It recommended that vaccination take place only within research protocols while clinical trials continue. WHO and Africa CDC are supporting Congolese authorities as teams work to detect cases, treat patients and reduce transmission across the six affected provinces.