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Congo Ebola Crisis Worsens Amid Aid Cuts
14 Aug
Summary
- Ebola outbreak in DRC has claimed over 2,000 lives.
- Resource mobilization for the current outbreak is lacking.
- UK foreign aid budget cuts are impacting response efforts.
Oxfam aid workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have highlighted that the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which has already caused over 2,000 deaths, is being worsened by reductions in foreign aid. The current situation is described as complicated by a significant "lack of resources" compared to earlier outbreaks in 2014 and 2018.
This scarcity of resources directly impacts the mobilization and effectiveness of international response efforts. Activities that were previously managed with ease are now proving difficult to implement, according to Oxfam's Ebola field response co-ordinator. Meanwhile, researchers in Oxford are testing a new Ebola vaccine in a world-first trial, while the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has been contacted for comment regarding its overseas budget cuts.
