The United States has pledged an additional $267 million to support the fight against the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, as the death toll from the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has exceeded 3,700.
The US Department of State announced the additional funding on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The latest commitment brings the Trump administration’s total funding for the Ebola response to $886 million, including $107 million provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services, according to US officials.
The new funding comes as international health authorities seek additional financial support to meet a $2 billion target for the Ebola response, with the bulk of the resources expected to support operations in the DRC.
The US pledge was announced as governments and international partners were being urged to increase their contributions to the response.
DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka said the country was treating the outbreak as a major national priority while drawing on experience from previous Ebola outbreaks.
The assistance is expected to support treatment units, safe and dignified burials, personal protective equipment, disease surveillance, medical supplies and contact tracing in affected communities.
The latest pledge comes months after the US announced additional funding for Ebola preparedness across Africa.
Reported cases declined by about 26% in Ituri over the latest 21-day period. Cases declined by 15% in Haut-Uele during the same period. North Kivu, however, recorded a 73% increase.
There is currently no licensed vaccine specifically for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola responsible for the DRC outbreak, although researchers are racing to develop and test candidates.
If early-stage trials are successful, the partnership plans to facilitate technology transfer for larger-scale production.
Beyond the immediate health impact, the outbreak also carries significant economic risks. A UNDP assessment warned in June that an uncontrolled spread could cost Africa as much as $3.6 billion and put up to 328,000 jobs at risk. Even if the outbreak remains contained, the DRC could lose more than $1 billion in economic output and about 55,000 jobs
