The United Nations has dispatched emergency supplies to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to address the ongoing Ebola outbreak. UNICEF's first shipment, consisting of over 100 tons of supplies, was airlifted on May 29, 2026, with support from the European Union and the World Health Organization. The supplies aim to assist nearly 100,000 people and include medicines, infection-control materials, hygiene products, and protective equipment for healthcare workers.
In response to the outbreak, Uganda has closed its border with Congo, allowing only emergency response teams and humanitarian operations. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has reported nine confirmed cases and one death in Uganda, with three cases linked to travel from Congo. In Congo, there are 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths.
UNICEF representative John Agbor expressed concern about the situation, emphasizing the urgency of the emergency shipment. The U.N. has activated its highest level of emergency response and allocated $5.75 million for containment efforts. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus visited Kinshasa to show support for affected communities and to encourage increased international assistance for healthcare workers. He also remarked that border closures are not effective in preventing outbreaks and highlighted the need for more funding to combat Ebola.
The shipment coincides with a Kenyan court's decision to halt U.S. plans to open a new Ebola quarantine facility for infected Americans, which was set to open on the same day.