WFP Seeks $214 Million as Ebola Spreads to Eighth DRC Province

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has spread to an eighth province, prompting the World Food Programme (WFP) to appeal for USD 214 million over the next six months to support emergency food, logistics, and infrastructure operations across the country's eastern region.

According to the WFP, nearly 3.5 million people are facing Crisis-level hunger or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) across the Ebola-affected areas, compounded by ongoing conflict and displacement. The agency reported that 97 percent of people directly affected by the outbreak still require food assistance, as health restrictions, isolation, and market disruptions make accessing food difficult for households.

To prevent families from leaving isolation or treatment centers to search for food, the agency has delivered over 744,000 hot meals across 59 treatment and isolation facilities and distributed more than 3,000 metric tons of food to patients' families. WFP's operational plan includes providing dry rations to more than 500,000 relatives of confirmed and suspected cases, of which USD 78.6 million of the total funding appeal is allocated for direct food assistance.

In addition to food distribution, WFP is managing critical logistics and infrastructure support for the broader humanitarian response. The WFP-managed United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has transported 10,272 responders and 483 metric tons of cargo over 1,255 flights since the operation began. Reconnaissance flights are being planned for Bole-Bole in Haut-Uélé, Yakoma in North Ubangi, and Biakato in Ituri following reports of newly suspected cases.

The agency has also constructed Musienene’s first Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) and is currently building another in Bunia, with four additional centers planned, including one in Goma. The WFP-led Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster has set up multiple storage bases and facilitated the transport of 2,653 metric tons of relief items, including personal protective equipment and medical supplies.

The WFP warned that operations face significant challenges, including insecurity, poor roads, and adverse weather conditions that have disrupted air operations around Mahagi, Bunia, and Isiro. The organization stated that without timely and flexible funding, life-saving food assistance, flight operations, and treatment center construction could face interruptions.

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