Ebola Outbreak Worsens Amid International Aid Cuts
Healthcare workers from Doctors Without Borders are actively monitoring patients in the Ebola Treatment Center in Munigi, Congo, where conditions are critical. This situation comes at a time when support from the U.S. and other Western nations has dwindled significantly, following a year of severe cuts to international aid.
In May, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda confirmed outbreaks linked to the Bundibugyo virus, a variant of Ebola. The virus, which spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated objects, poses serious health risks, with a fatality rate estimated at around 50%.
This latest outbreak marks the 17th for the DRC and comprises more than 1,400 confirmed cases, making it the third-largest in history according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While no cases have appeared in the U.S., one has been reported in France, with the CDC confirming 440 deaths attributed to the virus.
In the early days of the outbreak, the International Rescue Committee raised alarms, suggesting that without immediate action, this could evolve into the deadliest outbreak on record. Bob Kitchen, the organization’s vice president for emergencies, indicated that the DRC’s current preparedness is significantly weaker than during the 2018-2020 crisis, which resulted in over 2,000 deaths.
“Warning signs are flashing red,” Kitchen remarked, noting that the combination of increased conflict and dwindling global aid has left the region vulnerable. “The risks are growing and the resources are shrinking,” he added, underscoring the dire equation facing international humanitarian efforts.
The closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) last July, which saw the bulk of its programs cut or absorbed by the State Department, has drawn criticism from notable figures including former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, as well as philanthropist Bill Gates.
USAID’s closure was part of broader reductions orchestrated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), established by former President Donald Trump. Elon Musk oversaw DOGE’s operations initially and has defended the cuts, which were marked by claims that USAID played a role in negative outcomes.
Interestingly, these cuts in foreign aid aren’t isolated to the U.S.; Oxfam recently reported that G7 countries are expected to slash their aid spending by 28% in 2026 compared to 2024 levels. Countries like France, Germany, and the U.K. are experiencing similar declines in foreign aid.
Virologist Angela Rasmussen of the Save America Movement noted that the reduction in foreign aid has severely impacted the Ebola outbreak response. Cuts to critical infrastructure backing previous USAID efforts have fostered violence and decreased the region’s ability to handle the outbreak effectively. She highlighted how fighting not only complicates logistics but has also diminished trust in humanitarian and medical workers.
“Movement is restricted due to ongoing civil conflicts,” she explained, “and this makes tracing contacts and providing treatment increasingly dangerous.” Furthermore, the lack of USAID-funded medical supplies and infrastructure has hindered efforts to manage the outbreak effectively.
Jade Le, an infectious disease specialist, expressed similar concerns, stating that the removal of USAID’s funding has made it considerably harder to contain the outbreak. The organization historically played a crucial role in the healthcare infrastructure, from training staff to providing essential equipment.
Current communication with the U.S. government regarding the impact of these foreign aid cuts has not yielded a response. Le pointed out that previously, U.S. involvement in outbreaks was prompt, utilizing experts to investigate and control the spread of diseases. However, this time, the mobilization of public health officials has come much later than in past outbreaks, impacting the overall effectiveness of potential responses.
