Around $1 billion in Ebola funding unaccounted for in Congo

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 04:32 · Archive

Africa's top health agency says $1 billion in Ebola outbreak funding is unaccounted for as the crisis spreads across Congo and into neighbouring countries.

Africa's top public health agency and Congolese officials have raised concerns over $700 million in Ebola aid which is unaccounted for. The world's fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record continues to spread, reaching eight provinces in Congo and neighbouring countries Kenya and Uganda.

Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters that since the beginning of the epidemic, $962 million from international donors has been disbursed to organisations working on Ebola response in eastern Congo. However, only $200 million has been accounted for by organisations working on the ground, which include UN agencies such as the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the World Food Program, as well as international charities like Save The Children and Medecins du Monde.

The funding concerns renew long-standing questions about transparency and accountability in Congo. Previous Ebola outbreaks were marked by allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds, which experts said contributed to mistrust of local communities and complicated efforts to halt spread. In recent months, frontline health care and support workers have struck over unpaid salaries, bonuses and dangerous conditions. Prince Bahati, a nurse from Bunia in eastern Congo at the centre of the outbreak, said many involved in the response have not been paid despite sometimes risking their own lives.

How it is being reported

• Around $1 billion missing in Ebola outbreak fundingAs Ebola's biggest outbreak on record continues spreading, Africa's top public health agency says $1 billion of funding to deal with the crisis is missing.Perth Now · 20 Oct, 04:22
• Around $1 billion missing in Ebola outbreak fundingAs Ebola's biggest outbreak on record continues spreading, Africa's top public health agency says $1 billion of funding to deal with the crisis is missing.The West Australian · 20 Oct, 04:22

In this story: Congo · Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention · World Health Organisation · UNICEF · World Food Program · Bunia

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