The United Nations has allocated $8 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to strengthen Ebola preparedness in South Sudan and Burundi. This critical funding, approved by UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, aims to mitigate the risk of cross-border transmission stemming from the Ebola outbreak currently affecting the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Ebola outbreak in the DRC, declared in mid-May, poses a significant threat to the region. Although Burundi has not yet reported any confirmed cases, the country remains at high risk due to its extensive border with the DRC and the high volume of daily cross-border movement. In response to the declaration in the DRC, Burundi has officially activated its national preparedness plan.
South Sudan faces similarly heightened risks due to frequent movement across its borders with both the DRC and Uganda. While the South Sudanese Ministry of Health has implemented a national preparedness and response strategy covering 15 high-risk counties, the UN has emphasized that urgent additional resources are required to fully bolster the country’s defensive capabilities.
The CERF allocation will be directed toward essential disease control measures, including expanded laboratory testing, improved case management, and robust infection prevention protocols. Furthermore, the funding will support water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, alongside community engagement programs designed to enhance early detection and facilitate rapid response to potential outbreaks.
This financial support is vital for strengthening the South Sudanese government’s capacity to detect, investigate, and contain any imported Ebola cases. It is also designed to safeguard healthcare workers, ensure the continuity of essential health services, and prevent the potential for community-wide transmission of the virus.
This assistance arrives as South Sudan navigates multiple overlapping humanitarian crises. Over half of the nation’s population is currently facing acute food insecurity, while a persistent cholera outbreak, ongoing since September 2024, has resulted in more than 105,000 cases and over 1,600 deaths. According to the UN, less than one-third of the funding required for South Sudan’s 2026 humanitarian response plan has been secured to date.
Meanwhile, in the eastern provinces of the DRC—specifically Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu—humanitarian agencies continue to address both the Ebola crisis and the broader regional instability. However, containment measures, such as temporary border restrictions, have disrupted trade and local markets, leading to reduced food supplies and rising prices. With only half of the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan for the DRC currently funded, the UN has issued a renewed appeal for donors to increase support for these vulnerable populations.
