In a written answer on 28 July 2026, Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič detailed the European Commission's immediate and long-term support to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization. The response includes €493 million in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment, and health security funding, with €84 million in immediate humanitarian aid, and the deployment of EU Health Task Force experts and medical supplies. The answer addresses a parliamentary question from S&D MEP Leire Pajín, who had raised concerns about the Bundibugyo virus strain, for which no approved vaccines or treatments exist, and its spread into urban and cross-border areas.
The Commission's support encompasses testing, sequencing, and isolation capacities through EU4Health and Global Europe programmes, as well as the mobilisation of 6.3 tonnes of medical countermeasures via the WHO AFRO Regional Emergency Hub. The EU Health Task Force has been deployed to assist the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in outbreak coordination and exit screening measures. The EU Humanitarian Air Bridge has transported over 140 tonnes of medicines and protective equipment, with additional flights planned. The Commission is also supporting the WHO Research and Development blueprint for priority candidate vaccines and therapeutics, and working with international partners through Horizon Europe and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovation. Gavi's First Response Fund has been activated, allocating up to USD 50 million for vaccine access.
The answer contains concrete figures and commitments, including specific funding amounts and operational details, but does not set new numerical targets or deadlines for future action. The policy orientation is strongly interventionist, prioritising rapid containment, cross-border coordination, and research acceleration. Institutional follow-up is expected through continued Team Europe coordination with Member States and international partners, with further flights and expert deployments likely as the outbreak evolves.