The United Kingdom has committed up to £20 million ($26.87 million) in new funding to help contain the growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as international concern mounts over the spread of the virus in Central Africa.
The funding announcement came as Russia said it was closely monitoring the situation and stood ready to assist efforts to address the outbreak, which has affected both the DRC and neighboring Uganda.
Britain’s Foreign Office said the financial support would be directed towards the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations working on the ground. The funding is intended to strengthen disease surveillance, improve infection prevention and control measures, and provide additional protection for frontline healthcare workers.
An official opens the barrier for passengers on a truck who have already been screened at the Kanyaruchinya checkpoint, as authorities and aid agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in the northern entry into the city of Goma, North Kivu province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi
Health authorities have warned that the outbreak is likely to continue expanding. According to the latest figures, the DRC has recorded 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths. Laboratory testing has confirmed 51 Ebola cases in the country, while two confirmed infections have also been reported in Uganda.
The WHO has cautioned that the number of infections is expected to rise as response teams continue investigations and case tracking in affected regions.
Alongside its financial commitment, the UK has activated additional health monitoring measures. The UK Health Security Agency is assessing travel routes into Britain from affected countries and has launched a program to monitor and support individuals travelling from the UK to outbreak areas for work purposes.
A health worker takes the temperature of a truck driver passing through the Kanyaruchinya checkpoint, as authorities and aid agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain, in the northern entry into the city of Goma, North Kivu province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo May 20, 2026. REUTERS/Arlette Bashizi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Meanwhile, Russia signaled its willingness to contribute to international response efforts. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow was concerned about the outbreak in both the DRC and Uganda and was prepared to help resolve the crisis.
