Millions of Ebola dollars missing with staff unpaid while virus spreads, charity says
A report by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) indicates that hundreds of millions of dollars intended for the Ebola response in the DR Congo are missing or unaccounted for. Front-line workers remain unpaid and lack essential supplies while the virus continues to spread.
Why it matters
The mismanagement of humanitarian funds during a deadly epidemic directly undermines containment efforts and exacerbates the loss of life.
Hundreds of millions of dollars meant to help tackle Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo are not reaching the intended recipients, a medical charity has warned.
A report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said that while the outbreak remained "out of control", front-line workers were going unpaid, lacked proper training and were struggling with shortages of essential supplies.
It added that in some cases ambulances had run out of fuel.
More than 5,400 people have died and 11,000 infected with Ebola in DR Congo since the outbreak was declared in May.
This makes it the second-most deadly outbreak of the disease ever recorded.
MSF has urged the Congolese government and UN agencies to "strengthen oversight and accountability" to ensure money already disbursed is effectively utilised.
This means "ensuring response personnel are properly trained, paid, equipped, and supported, and directing resources towards areas where needs are greatest", it said.
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Medical Charity Reports Millions Missing in Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola Response
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