The United Nations, on Wednesday, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released an additional US$3.4 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

The UN said this in an update to journalists at the UN headquarters in New York.

“The epidemic has expanded with cases reported in several urban areas, including Bunia, Goma and Kampala, said WHO Head, Tedros Ghebreyesu

He also highlighted the challenges posed by the significant population movements in the DR Congo where the outbreak is prevalent.

To support the response, the head of WHO has also released an additional US$ 3.4 million from the Contingency Fund for Emergencies, bringing the total to US$ 3.9 million,’’ he said.

In addition, he said WFP colleagues on the ground were reporting that the Ebola outbreak could worsen food insecurity unless access constraints were overcome, and assistance is scaled up.

He said the food agency was working closely with the Government of the DRC, WHO and partners to support a coordinated response – facilitating the movement of responders, medical supplies and essential cargo, especially to hard-to-reach areas, and there are many of those in that region.

“Our WFP colleagues plan to provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to patients, vulnerable families, contact cases and affected families.

“As we mentioned, they have mobilized immediately, leveraging their operational footprint and long-standing presence in the eastern DRC, and helped to transport 40 aid workers and critical medical equipment to affected areas on the frontlines of the outbreak.

“This support is continuing. As a reminder, 26.5 million people across the DRC are already facing acute food insecurity, with needs far outpacing the response.

“Almost 10 million people are facing crisis or emergency levels of hunger in the eastern part of the country. Again, without sustained support, we risk leaving the most vulnerable exposed to both disease and hunger,’’ he said. 

(NAN)