WFP Appeals for $115 Million as Ebola Outbreak Expands to Eighth Province in DR Congo

GENEVA/KINSHASA — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to an eighth province, prompting the agency to appeal for $115 million to sustain food and logistical support over the next six months.

According to the WFP, severe food insecurity and conflict in affected areas are complicating efforts to contain the virus. The agency stated that food assistance is critical to enabling patients to stay in isolation and undergo treatment without families being forced to break health protocols to find food.

To date, the WFP reported that it has delivered over 744,000 hot meals across 60 treatment and isolation facilities and distributed more than 3,000 metric tons of food to families of patients. The organization's operational plan aims to provide dry food rations to more than 500,000 relatives of confirmed and suspected cases over the coming six months.

In addition to distributing food, the agency is managing infrastructure and logistics for the broader health response. The WFP completed construction of an Ebola Treatment Centre in Musienene and is currently constructing another facility in Bunia, with plans to build four additional centres, including one located in Goma.

The agency noted that of the requested $115 million, $79 million is designated specifically for hot meals and dry rations to maintain operations and prevent interruptions to health containment measures.

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