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The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has welcomed a $220.6 million emergency financing package from the Pandemic Fund to support efforts to contain the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and protect at-risk countries in Central and Eastern Africa. 

The financing will facilitate the implementation of the joint Africa CDC–World Health Organisation (WHO) Continental Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, launched to coordinate efforts to contain the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda and to prevent further regional spread.

The decision by the Pandemic Fund, the world’s first multilateral financing mechanism dedicated to strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in low- and middle-income countries and hosted by the World Bank, follows declarations by Africa CDC and WHO in May 2026 that the outbreak constituted a major public health emergency requiring urgent, coordinated action. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, has already resulted in cross-border transmission.

“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,” said Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya. “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 Pandemic Fund financing complements the $465 million Africa CDC–WHO Continental Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, already being implemented across affected and at-risk countries. The six-month plan focuses on emergency coordination, surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, logistics, research, and support for essential health services.

According to the Pandemic Fund, up to $175.7 million will be mobilised by reprogramming existing projects to support immediate response efforts in affected and high-risk countries, including the DRC, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia. A further $44.9 million will be made available through expedited financing to support preparedness and response efforts in Uganda, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.

According to Africa CDC, the financing will support priority actions identified in its joint response plan with WHO, including strengthening disease surveillance, laboratory systems, health workforce capacity and cross-border coordination. Countries and regional institutions will set implementation priorities based on identified needs and gaps.

Africa CDC said the financing reflects growing global confidence in a coordinated, country-led response, anchored in the principle of one plan, one budget and one team. It urges Member States, partners and donors to maintain momentum for the continental response and preparedness effort, while continuing to support evidence-based measures that facilitate safe travel and trade, strengthen border health systems and enhance regional cooperation.