France will increase its financial support for efforts to combat Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced. Barrot, speaking during a visit to the affected region, warned that the virus could quickly resurge if vigilance decreased. France previously allocated €13.4 million for Ebola efforts between January and July and plans to propose additional funding.
Increased funding and international attention to Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo are crucial for preventing outbreaks from spreading and potentially impacting global health security.
France is set to increase its financial and humanitarian support for efforts to combat Ebola in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Speaking during a visit to Bunia, a city that identified a laboratory-confirmed case of mpox in mid-September, Barrot cautioned that the virus could quickly resurge if vigilance decreased.
France had already allocated €13.4 million ($15.1 million) to the fight against Ebola between January and July. Barrot indicated that he would propose additional humanitarian funding for Ebola during upcoming French budget discussions. France's response has included humanitarian aid, medical research, and the PRISM programme initiated during President Emmanuel Macron's visit in 2023.
A national humanitarian conference is scheduled to take place in Paris on October 6, where Ebola will be a key topic of discussion. Barrot emphasized the importance of preventing resurgences, stating, "Ebola may seem far away to some people or political leaders, but it can return very quickly. Our responsibility is to prevent those resurgences." He also praised the efforts of Congolese authorities, UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, and medical workers in containing the epidemic.
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