The United States has announced an additional $80 million in funding to support efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda.
The latest allocation brings total US assistance since the outbreak began to $112 million, according to a statement released Thursday by the State Department.
US officials said the funding would support emergency health operations, including the supply of protective gear for healthcare workers, border screening across the region, laboratory testing kits, and other critical response measures.
“The US government continues a comprehensive and coordinated response to contain the Ebola outbreak at its source, protect the American people, and prevent further international spread,” the State Department said.
The announcement comes amid criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis following the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the dismantling of the USAID aid agency.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the administration remained committed to preventing Ebola from reaching the United States.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and 223 suspected deaths have been recorded in DR Congo since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.
The WHO also reported more than 1,000 confirmed and suspected infections, warning that the actual scale of the outbreak could be significantly higher.
Health officials continue to express concern over the rapid spread of the disease, especially in conflict-affected areas where access to healthcare remains limited.
