The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has announced an initial $15 million emergency funding package to support efforts to contain the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
In a statement issued from Seattle on May 24, the foundation expressed deep concern over the outbreak, extended condolences to families who have lost loved ones, and commended frontline health workers, laboratory teams, responders, and community volunteers working under difficult conditions.
The foundation stressed that no single country or institution can contain such an outbreak alone, particularly given the risks of cross-border transmission.
It acknowledged the leadership of the governments of the DRC and Uganda, working alongside the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other regional partners to strengthen containment, preparedness, and coordination.
Funding Allocation
The $15 million will be channeled through organizations already operating on the ground, with the majority of resources directed to affected countries and communities. The breakdown includes:
– $5 million to Africa CDC for regional coordination, rapid deployment, and cross-border surveillance.
– $5 million to WHO AFRO for frontline operational support to affected countries.
– $5 million to WHO Headquarters for rapid procurement, diagnostics, and surge logistics for critical response commodities.
The Gates Foundation also reaffirmed its support for the Joint Emergency Action Plan (JEAP) between Africa CDC and WHO AFRO, a framework designed to improve coordination and deliver unified emergency support during health crises.
While the foundation continues to invest in the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics through partners such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), it noted that there are currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics specifically for Bundibugyo Ebola.
As a result, immediate priorities remain rapid detection, strong public health measures, protection of frontline workers, and swift coordinated action to halt transmission.
“In an outbreak, every day matters,” the statement said. “Early coordination and rapid action are the difference between containment and wider regional spread.”
The foundation added that it will continue working closely with governments, Africa CDC, WHO, and other partners to monitor the evolving situation and determine where additional support may be required in the coming weeks.
