UN Responds to Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda

The United Nations is mobilizing to counter a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the World Health Organization has raised the national risk assessment to high. As of May 15, there have been 82 confirmed cases and seven deaths in the DRC, with nearly 750 suspected cases reported.

In Uganda, three new cases have been confirmed, bringing the total to five, including a Ugandan driver and a health worker. Tom Fletcher, the UN's emergency relief coordinator, announced the allocation of $60 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support response efforts in the DRC and neighboring countries.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has placed pharmacists on high alert due to the outbreak. Uganda has suspended public transport from the DRC following the confirmation of cases linked to cross-border travel.

The situation is exacerbated by conflict and misinformation in the region, particularly in Ituri Province.