The Government of Japan has announced an emergency aid package of $3 million USD to support the Democratic Republic of Congo in its fight against the ongoing Ebola virus outbreak affecting the North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces in the country’s eastern region.

According to a statement from the Japanese Embassy in DRC, the funding will be distributed among three key international organizations leading the humanitarian response. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will receive $1.5 million, the World Food Programme (WFP) will be allocated $1 million, and UNICEF will receive $500,000 to bolster their operations.

This financial commitment aims to strengthen critical response areas including healthcare services, clean water access, sanitation, and hygiene measures. Japanese authorities emphasized that this support will help contain the Ebola virus spread not only within DRC but also in neighboring countries at risk of cross-border transmission.

Human security at the forefront

“With this contribution, the Government of Japan reaffirms its commitment to the principle of human security,” stated the Embassy’s communication. The Japanese diplomatic mission highlighted that this approach guided their decision to respond to international agencies’ appeals operating in DRC.

The announcement comes amid multiple pledges of international financial support following the resurgence of the Ebola virus disease in the eastern provinces. Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba had previously called on partners to enhance coordination and transparency in health funding management, particularly for the Ebola response in eastern DRC.

During a joint press briefing in Bunia, Ituri province on June 18, 2026, alongside Communication Minister Patrick Muyaya, Health Minister Kamba stressed the importance of unified government and partner approaches. He noted that much of the financial support is managed directly by humanitarian organizations without government oversight, which has created public confusion about fund management.

As of May 17, 2026—just two days after DRC’s official outbreak declaration—the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the Bundibugyo virus-caused Ebola outbreak, which spread from DRC to Uganda, as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The WHO reports significant geographic expansion of the outbreak, with actual case numbers likely underreported. Contributing factors include high population mobility, fragile health systems, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and access challenges in conflict-affected areas. Adding to these concerns is the current lack of an approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo virus strain.

Despite these challenges, Congolese authorities remain hopeful, drawing on experience from successfully managing sixteen previous Ebola outbreaks in the country.