WASHINGTON, DC – G20 countries have increased their financial commitments to tackling the growing threat posed by an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Over the past several months, the virus has spread to border areas and neighbouring countries, with more than 2,000 people reportedly dying from the disease and concerns growing over further transmission.
With the United States holding the G20 Presidency, it recently convened a G20 Foreign Ministerial meeting to reaffirm the group’s commitment to accelerating collective action against the outbreak.
According to a U.S. State Department media release, the G20 and other major donors have announced more than US$470 million in new commitments, bringing total global pledges since the outbreak began in May 2026 to more than US$2 billion.
The United States also invited major health and humanitarian donors to participate in the Foreign Ministerial on Ebola, including Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Key international organisations, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Pandemic Fund, UNICEF and the World Bank, also participated.
The State Department said health care workers, volunteers and local communities remain on the front lines of the response, while warning that the outbreak presents unique challenges because it is concentrated in an isolated, conflict-affected area.
It said existing vaccines, diagnostics and therapies are not fully effective against the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
The United States and its partners are therefore calling for an expansion of response activities in affected areas and stronger preparedness in high-risk locations. Those measures include contact tracing, protection for frontline responders, increased treatment capacity, the deployment of new diagnostic tools and greater investment in vaccine development.
The State Department pointed to the successful conclusion of Uganda’s Ebola outbreak in August as evidence that the disease can be brought under control through a coordinated response.
As part of its contribution, the United States announced an additional US$267 million in health and humanitarian assistance, bringing its direct assistance for the Ebola response to US$887 million.
The new funding will support Ebola treatment units, broader health services, safe and dignified burial teams, large-scale procurement of personal protective equipment, expanded disease surveillance and contact tracing through local organisations.
In addition to its direct Ebola funding, the United States said it has mobilised US$350 million this year in broader humanitarian assistance to the region through its partnership with OCHA.
The G20 Foreign Ministers are expected to meet in Atlanta, Georgia, next month as part of their formal discussions.
