On 8 July 2026, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib addressed the European Parliament on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, warning that the outbreak continues to expand rapidly in a region marked by conflict, displacement and fragile health systems. She stressed that sustained financing and global coordination are essential, and that no country can face a major health threat alone. Lahbib noted that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk of infection for EU citizens as very low, but cautioned against complacency, pointing to a Health Security Committee opinion on common EU recommendations. She cited France's rapid response as evidence of EU preparedness for imported cases.
Lahbib reported that the EU is providing EUR 493 million in immediate and long-term support for humanitarian aid, vaccines, treatments and health security in the region. This includes over EUR 100 million for current preparedness and response, with EUR 16.5 million to deploy diagnostics and strengthen field testing. EUR 39.3 million has been invested in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop broadly protective filovirus vaccines. EUR 15 million in humanitarian assistance has been mobilised for WHO and frontline partners, and over 590 tonnes of essential supplies have been transported to eastern DRC via eight EU Humanitarian Air Bridges. Lahbib emphasised that the response builds on years of EU investment in African health security, including workforce training, laboratory capacities, surveillance, and research.
Lahbib described her recent visit to Bunia, Ituri, the outbreak's epicentre, where she witnessed the bravery of healthcare workers and the value of EU solidarity. She outlined priorities: boosting surveillance and contact tracing, deploying diagnostics and medical teams, supporting exit screening, maintaining humanitarian access, strengthening community trust, and ensuring respect for International Humanitarian Law. The EU has worked with WHO, Africa CDC, and affected countries since day one, with ECDC experts deployed through the EU Health Task Force to support exit screening. Lahbib also highlighted the Global Health Resilience Initiative, aimed at building long-term preparedness, and called for sustainable financing and health preparedness to be linked in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. She reiterated her commitment to mobilise resources and advocate for humanitarian access and international law.
The speech contained concrete financial commitments and operational details, but no new numerical targets or institutional structures beyond existing programmes. Policy orientation is towards sustained EU engagement and increased financing for health security in Africa, with a conciliatory approach emphasising partnership and solidarity.