The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), has reinforced its support for the international humanitarian response to the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease (BVD) outbreak in East Africa through a total contribution of 1.2 million euros to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The Spanish contribution includes a donation of 700,000 euros to the IFRC's regular budget and another 500,000 euros specifically allocated to the regional emergency appeal launched by the organization to address the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and other at-risk neighboring countries.
Health emergency
On 15 May 2026, the health authorities of Kinshasa confirmed an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the Ituri province, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The identified strain, Bundibugyo, has a high lethality and currently there is no vaccine or specific treatment available, which makes prevention, surveillance, and community response essential elements to contain the disease. As of 19 May, more than 500 suspected cases had been reported, including 130 deaths and 33 confirmed cases. Given the risk of regional and cross-border spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the situation a public health emergency of international concern.
The IFRC emergency appeal, activated in 20 May, aims to assist three million people in a context where between 12 and 18 million people live in areas considered high-risk for transmission.
Global humanitarian network
The intervention supported by Spain relies on a comprehensive approach based on prevention and community action. Planned activities include community surveillance and contact tracing, safe and dignified burials, infection prevention and control measures, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, health promotion, psychosocial support, and risk communication and community engagement activities to combat misinformation and strengthen public trust.
The operation pays special attention to the border areas and mobility routes between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, where cases linked to the outbreak have already been detected, as well as to other neighboring countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan, which have strengthened their preparedness and surveillance mechanisms. The context of insecurity, population movements, the weakness of health systems, and high cross-border mobility significantly increase the risk of regional spread.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies constitutes the largest humanitarian network in the world, composed of 191 National Societies that work to save lives, strengthen community resilience, and promote a humanitarian response based on local action. Its response here is carried out especially through the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Red Cross of Uganda, which have extensive experience in managing epidemic outbreaks and a strong territorial presence.
With this contribution, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international humanitarian action and supporting coordinated responses to health emergencies that require rapid and sustained action.
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