Medical Charity Reports Millions Missing in Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola Response

Médecins Sans Frontières warned Wednesday that hundreds of millions of dollars intended for the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo have failed to reach critical frontline operations.

Since the outbreak began in May, more than 5,400 people have died and 11,000 have been infected, marking the second-deadliest recorded instance of the disease.

The charity reported that responders frequently lack basic equipment, training and fuel for ambulances, while some surveillance teams exist only on paper.

These financial and operational failures threaten to prolong the epidemic, which experts suggest could continue for another year as many cases remain undetected.

"Our teams are often left speechless by the dysfunctions they witness in many areas. Six months into the response, this situation is simply unacceptable," said MSF president Javid Abdelmoneim.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention previously identified that $700 million out of $962 million disbursed for the response remained unaccounted for.

Africa CDC chief Jean Kaseya described the situation as a major transparency and financial reporting failure rather than outright embezzlement.

Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said on X that only 22 percent of aid agencies have provided the necessary details for government oversight.

"Our requirement is clear: transparency must be total. The response relies on a single plan, a single budget, and a single coordination," said Kamba.

The charity also noted that two-thirds of deaths are occurring in communities rather than treatment centers, indicating that contact tracing efforts remain deeply problematic.

Furthermore, the Africa CDC stated on Thursday that ongoing attacks against health workers and facilities are increasingly hindering containment efforts in the eastern provinces.

MSF observed that some facilities, lacking water or chlorine, have become new centers of transmission instead of providing effective care.

The UN and the government warned that 10 million people in the affected region are also facing a severe food crisis.

It remains unclear how the government and international agencies will address the demands for increased accountability to ensure resources reach the areas of greatest need.