From BBC News · · 2m
Hundreds of millions missing as Ebola spreads in Congo
Médecins Sans Frontières warns that funds meant to fight the outbreak are not reaching frontline workers, who lack pay, training and supplies.
In brief
Médecins Sans Frontières warns that funds meant to fight the outbreak are not reaching frontline workers, who lack pay, training and supplies. Médecins Sans Frontières says hundreds of millions of dollars for Ebola response in DR Congo are unaccounted for, leaving frontline workers unpaid and under-equipped as the…
Outbreak kills over five thousand
More than five thousand four hundred people have died and eleven thousand infected with Ebola in DR Congo since the outbreak was declared in May. This makes it the second-most deadly outbreak ever recorded.
Hundreds of millions unaccounted for
Médecins Sans Frontières warns that hundreds of millions of dollars meant to help tackle Ebola are not reaching intended recipients.
Seven hundred million dollars missing
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said seven hundred million dollars out of nine hundred sixty-two million disbursed to organisations implementing Ebola response was unaccounted for.
Aid agencies not reporting details
The Congolese health minister said aid agencies were required to provide details of their work for ministry oversight but only twenty-two percent had done so. Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said transparency must be total.
“Our requirement is clear: transparency must be total.”
Frontline workers left empty-handed
MSF president Javid Abdelmoneim said despite vast amounts of money provided for response, many frontline responders are left trying to contain the outbreak with empty hands and empty pockets.
“Despite the vast amounts of money provided for the response, many frontline responders are left trying to contain the outbreak with empty hands and empty pockets.”
Contact tracing deeply problematic
MSF said despite resources officially allocated to contact tracing, surveillance remains deeply problematic. Two-thirds of deaths are occurring in communities not treatment centres. More than half of cases are going undetected.
Response too slow in some areas
MSF raised concerns over excessive concentration of efforts in certain areas at the expense of others.The response was too slow in North Kivu province while Haut-Uélé remained dramatically overlooked.Teams were inadequately resourced to respond effectively.
Virus spreads beyond Congo borders
The latest outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species of the virus, has spread beyond DR Congo borders with cases reported in Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.
The bottom line
Médecins Sans Frontières says hundreds of millions of dollars for Ebola response in DR Congo are unaccounted for, leaving frontline workers unpaid and under-equipped as the outbreak kills over five thousand four hundred people.
