The Democratic Republic of the Congo is once again at the center of a public health crisis as a new Ebola outbreak sweeps through its remote southern Kasai province, leaving health officials scrambling for resources and support. Announced by Congolese authorities on September 4, 2025, the outbreak has already claimed 35 lives out of 57 confirmed cases, resulting in a staggering fatality rate of over 61%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks the first Ebola outbreak in Kasai in 18 years, and the rapid escalation has exposed deep vulnerabilities in the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
The initial case that signaled the start of this crisis was identified on August 20, 2025. A 34-year-old pregnant woman in Kasai province sought care for fever, bloody vomiting, and hemorrhages. Tragically, she died just five days later, on August 25. By the time officials declared the outbreak on September 4, there were already 28 cases and 15 deaths. Since then, the numbers have only climbed, putting immense pressure on health facilities and responders in this hard-to-reach part of Congo.
Kasai province, located more than 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) from the capital Kinshasa, is known for its poor road networks and limited access to basic services. This remoteness has made it particularly difficult for health workers to reach affected communities and provide timely care. The only treatment center in the Bulape health zone—the epicenter of the outbreak—is now operating at 119% capacity, with staff and supplies stretched to the breaking point. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Africa (IFRC), health facilities are overwhelmed and running critically low on essential resources, including clean water and protective equipment.
“We urgently need our partners and donors to step up and support this lifesaving response to ensure we can contain the outbreak quickly and protect the most vulnerable communities,” said Susan Nzisa Mbalu, head of communications for IFRC, as reported by The Associated Press. The IFRC has launched an appeal for 20 million Swiss francs (approximately $25 million) to help contain the outbreak, with the goal of reaching 965,000 people with urgent assistance. So far, the organization has managed to allocate 1.75 million Swiss francs ($2.2 million) in emergency funds, a fraction of what’s needed to mount an effective response.
The funding gap is a critical concern for all organizations involved. The WHO has only $2 million in emergency funds available, plus about $2.3 million from the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Gavi vaccine alliance. This is far short of the roughly $20 million the WHO estimates will be required over the next three months. The Congolese government’s national response plan is even more ambitious, with a projected need of $78 million to bring the outbreak under control. WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic warned, “Without immediate support, gaps in operations will persist, jeopardizing efforts to contain the outbreak and protect vulnerable communities.”
Health workers on the ground are facing daunting challenges. Treating Ebola is resource-intensive even in the best of circumstances. Jean Paul Mbantshi, the chief medical officer of the Bulape health zone, explained, “All this costs money; we need more support.” The region desperately needs ambulances to transport patients from remote areas before they become highly contagious, as well as more protective equipment, medicines, and additional vaccines. The current vaccination campaign has been hampered by logistical hurdles, including a lack of storage infrastructure in Bulape. As a result, vaccines must be transported in small batches, causing significant delays. As of September 21, only 1,740 people in the three hardest-hit health zones—Bulape, Bulambae, and Mweka—have been vaccinated. To put that in perspective, the Bulape zone alone has a population of more than 212,000, according to United Nations figures from 2020.
Community outreach is another pressing need. Amitié Bukidi, chief medical officer of the Mweka health zone, noted, “We would like to expand our community outreach, especially by raising awareness among opinion leaders, to reach farmers who are hardest to reach.” His team is seeking motorcycles and other resources to access remote, rural areas where the majority of cases are occurring outside of health centers. “The need is still very great,” Bukidi said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “If USAID were to be involved, that would be good.”
The absence of substantial U.S. support is a notable shift from previous outbreaks. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) played a major role in the 2021 Ebola response, providing up to $11.5 million to support efforts across Africa. This time around, health officials are particularly concerned about the impact of U.S. funding cuts. IFRC’s Susan Nzisa Mbalu said it is still too early to fully assess donor support for the current response. Mathias Mossoko, the Ebola Response Coordinator in Bulape, acknowledged that the U.S. government has provided “some small support,” though he could not specify the details. The overall lack of robust international funding has left health workers and aid organizations in a precarious position, forced to make difficult decisions about where to allocate their limited resources.
The situation is further complicated by the region’s geography and infrastructure. Kasai’s poor road networks make it extremely challenging to transport patients, medical supplies, and vaccines to where they are most needed. The logistical difficulties have slowed the pace of vaccination campaigns and hampered the ability of health workers to reach remote communities. These delays increase the risk of the virus spreading unchecked among populations that are already vulnerable due to limited access to healthcare and information.
Despite these obstacles, health authorities and aid organizations are pressing forward with the resources they have. The IFRC, WHO, and Congolese health officials continue to urge the international community to provide the funding and support necessary to contain the outbreak before it spirals further out of control. The memory of previous Ebola crises—where delayed responses led to devastating loss of life—looms large over current efforts. The lessons learned from past outbreaks underscore the need for swift, coordinated action and adequate resourcing to protect both local communities and the broader region.
As the world watches Kasai province grapple with this deadly resurgence of Ebola, the stakes could not be higher. The outcome will depend not only on the dedication of frontline health workers, but also on the willingness of donors and partners to step up in a moment of acute need. For now, the race against time continues amid daunting challenges, but hope remains that with the right support, the outbreak can be contained and lives can be saved.