UN Allocates $60 Million for Ebola Response in Congo

The United Nations has released $60 million from its emergency fund to aid in the response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The UN aid chief emphasized the urgent need for measures to prevent the virus from spreading further in the conflict-hit region.

The situation is complicated by high insecurity and population movement in eastern Congo, which hampers the delivery of lifesaving assistance. Health experts have indicated that there is currently no vaccine available, and the virus has gone undetected for nearly two months.

The outbreak was confirmed last week in Ituri Province, with officials reporting 160 suspected deaths and 670 suspected cases attributed to the outbreak.