UN chief calls for urgent action as Ebola cases rise in DRC

The United Nations Secretary‑General called for “urgent” action and funding to stem the spread of the Ebola virus in the Bundibugyo region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a briefing at UN Headquarters on Thursday. He warned that the outbreak’s rapid growth threatens to overwhelm local health systems and could trigger a wider regional crisis if not contained swiftly.

Bundibugyo has reported several dozen confirmed cases since the virus first appeared in the area, with new infections rising each week. Health authorities in the DRC, supported by the World Health Organization and the UN’s health agencies, have deployed contact‑tracing teams, isolation facilities, and vaccination campaigns, but the surge in cases has stretched resources thin. The Secretary‑General emphasized that additional financial and logistical support is essential to expand testing, secure personal protective equipment, and strengthen community outreach to interrupt transmission chains.

In his remarks, the Secretary‑General urged member states, international donors, and private partners to mobilize the necessary funds and supplies immediately. He noted that timely intervention could prevent the outbreak from escalating further and highlighted the UN’s commitment to coordinating a comprehensive response with national authorities and global health partners.