Africa CDC says $700M DRC Ebola funds unreported

Africa CDC and Congolese health officials are demanding fuller financial disclosures from organizations supporting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola response after donors reportedly disbursed nearly $962 million directly to implementing partners, while authorities received information covering only about $220 million. Fewer than 30% of partners participated in a verification exercise; those that reported figures said they had spent roughly $127 million, with about $100 million remaining. Officials stress that the reporting gap does not establish that funds were stolen or diverted, but say it prevents the government from coordinating the response and matching resources to needs. Africa CDC and Congo’s health ministry are seeking to reconcile the funding, and Kaseya warned that organizations that fail to account for their funds could face restrictions or lose authorization to operate. The concerns come as Congo confronts a severe, expanding Ebola outbreak and longstanding mistrust that can hinder public health efforts.