The World Health Organisation (WHO) Wednesday said it received less than half of the funding required to combat the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The agency expressed concern over the continued spread of the disease and urged international donors not to abandon the country at a critical stage of the response effort.
The global health agency stated that it had received about 40% of the 115 million dollars it appealed for to tackle the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, for which there was currently no proven treatment or vaccine.
A WHO official Tuesday urged international donors not to abandon the country at a critical stage of the response effort.
“Government data show that at least 1,926 people have been infected, while 702 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak began,” he said.
Speaking to reporters in Geneva after a visit to Ituri Province, the worst-affected area, the head of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the outbreak required stronger international support.
He stated that the outbreak requires resources that match the scale of the challenges.
“This is not a burden DRC can be allowed to carry alone,” he stated.
Dr Ihekweazu said the response had reached a critical point, with intensified efforts needed to detect, isolate and manage cases following the spread of the virus to two additional provinces.
“It’s a bit like a marathon. You can’t give up after the first lap or the second,” he said.
Dr Ihekweazu added that WHO just has to keep pushing even when it is getting tired and exhausted.