Ebola Outbreak in DRC Could Cost Africa $3.6 Billion

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has issued a warning regarding the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), estimating that it could cost Africa $3.6 billion. The outbreak threatens to eliminate 10,000 jobs and push 985,000 people into poverty.

As of the latest figures, there have been 1,333 confirmed cases and 399 deaths, with 189 recoveries reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The UNDP's South Africa region director, Ahunna Eziakonwa, stated that the outbreak poses a severe public health threat and requires containment measures, including quarantine and travel restrictions, which could devastate local economies.

The economic damage is projected to exceed $1 billion in the DRC alone, with a potential loss of 55,000 jobs. The UNDP recommends direct cash transfers to vulnerable populations and ensuring that maternal, reproductive, and infant healthcare services continue during the crisis.