Congo Ebola response: questions over USD 700 million aid funding and transparency

Africas top public health agency and Congolese officials have raised concerns about USD 700 million in Ebola aid that they say is unaccounted for, urging aid groups to share clearer financial details. The scrutiny comes as the outbreak spreads across multiple provinces and into neighbouring countries, while health workers report unpaid salaries and difficult conditions.

Africa’s leading public health agency and officials in Congo have questioned about USD 700 million in Ebola aid that cannot be traced. The concerns come as the world’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record keeps spreading. The disease has reached eight provinces in Congo and crossed into Kenya and Uganda.

The issue has revived older doubts about oversight in Congo during health crises. Congo has faced major epidemics for decades, including repeated Ebola outbreaks. The Associated Press recently reported on strikes by frontline health workers in eastern Congo. Workers cited unpaid wages, missing bonuses, and unsafe conditions while responding.

Ebola funding questions raised by Africa CDC

Dr. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, gave figures to reporters last week. Dr. Jean Kaseya said USD 962 million from international donors was disbursed since the epidemic began. Yet only about USD 200 million was accounted for by organisations working in eastern Congo.

These groups include UN agencies such as the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the World Food Program. The list also includes international charities like Save the Children and Medecins du Monde, along with local aid groups. Dr. Jean Kaseya said only one-third attended a meeting run by Congo’s health ministry. Those that came shared financial records.

According to Dr. Jean Kaseya, organisations that attended said they received USD 228 million in total. They reported USD 127 million spent and around USD 100 million still available. Dr. Jean Kaseya did not name organisations that failed to report. The Africa CDC said this blocked a full view of spending and results.

“This represents a significant lack of transparency and financial reporting on the part of these organisations, preventing the Government from having a comprehensive overview of the resources mobilised, how they were utilised and the results achieved,\” the Africa CDC said in a statement. Dr. Jean Kaseya added Africa CDC would work with Congolese authorities to investigate the missing money.

Congolese authorities tighten Ebola response oversight

After Africa CDC’s statement, Congolese authorities said international donors did not send money directly to the state. Congo is responsible for coordinating the response on the ground. Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba told the Congolese Press Agency on Sunday that operations were restricted. Only 25 organisations were accredited out of nearly 100 previously authorised.

Samuel Roger Kamba said authorities were investigating where the money went. Implementing groups must report how much they received and from whom. They must also submit detailed spending plans. \”The funds granted were not paid into the general treasury; we must know who received what and who is doing what on the ground. All partners must be able to provide us with this information,\” Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya told the AP.

Ebola outbreak spreads as frontline concerns grow

Local frustration has grown alongside the outbreak and funding questions. Many workers involved in the response said they were not paid. \”Such a situation is unacceptable and demands clarification, as well as rigorous oversight of how the mobilised resources are managed,\” said Prince Bahati, a nurse from Bunia, which sits at the centre of the outbreak in eastern Congo.

Anicet Kakule, a Bunia resident, said a friend died in an Ebola treatment centre. Anicet Kakule blamed a lack of adequate care for the death. \”When you hear about sums like these, frankly, I can understand why some people believe that Ebola has become a business for many NGOs,\” Anicet Kakule said. \”I would like to see the management of funds allocated to the response handled jointly by our countrys government and humanitarian partners — the WHO, for instance — to ensure greater transparency and accountability,\” Anicet Kakule said.

Authorities said on Sunday that the outbreak reached an eighth province in northern Congo. Officials have recorded at least 9,400 cases, including over 4,500 deaths. The outbreak was declared in mid-May and is Congo’s deadliest. The virus also spread to Uganda, which later declared itself free, and Kenya, which recorded a seventh case last week.

The outbreak is driven by several factors, including population movement and rebel violence. Officials and experts also cited mistrust and poor conditions for frontline workers. The illness is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus. Authorities said there is no approved vaccine or treatment for it, complicating efforts to stop transmission.

As the case count rises, questions about financial reporting have added pressure to the Ebola response. Africa CDC and Congolese authorities said they want clearer records from aid organisations. Congo’s government has also limited which groups can operate on the ground. Officials said these steps aim to improve oversight as the outbreak continues.

With inputs from PTI