Officials say $700 million Ebola aid unaccounted
6 sourcesUpdated Oct 20, 20261 min read
Many of those involved in the response - who sometimes risk their own lives to save others - say that they have not been paid, Bunia nurse Prince Bahati told the AP. Africa CDC director Jean Kaseya said donors disbursed $962 million for eastern Congo's Ebola response, while organizations accounted for only about $200 million. Only one-third of groups attended a health ministry meeting; attendees reported $228 million received, $127 million spent and about $100 million left. An Africa CDC statement called the reporting gap a significant lack of transparency. Patrick Muyaya told the AP funds were not paid into the general treasury and partners must disclose who received what and who works on the ground. Samuel Roger Kamba restricted operations to 25 of nearly 100 groups. Anicet Kakule said he can understand why some believe Ebola has become a business for many NGOs and wants joint government and WHO fund management. The mid-May 2026 Bundibugyo outbreak has at least 9,400 cases and over 4,500 deaths across eight provinces and into Kenya and Uganda. Uganda later declared free; Kenya recorded a seventh case including one death. Kaseya said Africa CDC will investigate with Congo. No factual disputes appear among rated outlets.
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This missing aid only fuels suspicion and slows real help, so officials must demand clear spending records from everyone involved.
Unpaid frontline workers in Congo and spreading cases into Uganda show the money never reached where it was needed most.
If hundreds of millions meant for Ebola response can't be tracked, aid groups should face audits before any more funds go out.
