South Africa pledges $5 million in Ebola response as outbreak spreads in DRC and Uganda

South Africa has pledged an initial $5 million to Africa CDC to support the regional response to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the contribution on May 25 during a virtual ministerial briefing on the outbreak, according to official South African and World Health Organization statements.

The pledge comes as Africa CDC has described the outbreak as a public health emergency of continental security and is seeking to mobilize a broader response plan for June through November 2026 worth about $319 million.

WHO said on May 25 that the outbreak had reached 101 confirmed cases and 10 confirmed deaths in the DRC, while Uganda had recorded five confirmed cases and one death. The agency also said the situation carries a risk of wider regional spread.

South Africa's contribution is one of the first public financing commitments tied to the continental response. Officials did not say when the funds will be disbursed, and further pledges from other governments may be needed to meet the full response target.

What happens next

The main questions now are whether additional African governments turn pledges into funding, how much of the $319 million plan is secured, and whether WHO or Africa CDC reports show a further rise in cases in the coming days.