By Sama Marwan,
According to the news site Congo Kotadia, the European Union (EU) has allocated €20 million to implement projects aimed at containing and combating the monkeypox epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These projects, executed by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners, also aim to enhance the prevention and monitoring of other epidemics in the country.
Targeted Regions in the First Phase
The first phase of funding will focus on the most affected provinces, including:
- Équateur
- North Kivu
- Sankuru
- South Kivu
- Bas-Uélé
- Tshuapa
- Kinshasa
- South Ubangi
- Tshopo
The second phase will be directed toward less affected provinces, such as Ituri, Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental, Lomami, Kongo Central, and Haut-Uélé.
Strengthening Healthcare Response
Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba expressed his gratitude for the EU’s support, stating:
“Thanks to this support from the EU, we will be able to strengthen our surveillance capabilities, improve access to healthcare, and raise awareness in our communities about good public health practices.”
He emphasized that this funding is crucial in enhancing the country’s response to the ongoing health crisis.
EU’s Commitment to Fighting Epidemics
The EU Ambassador to the DRC, Nicolás Berlanga Martínez, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Congo’s efforts to control monkeypox and other epidemics.
“The EU and its member states have taken this action to help the DRC manage this epidemic, but most importantly, to reinforce crisis response structures. In the event of an outbreak, the first and most effective response must come from public institutions. We are very pleased to support and strengthen these efforts.”
Vaccine Distribution and Current Statistics
As part of its monkeypox response efforts, the EU has already delivered 332,300 vaccine doses to the Democratic Republic of Congo since September 2024.
According to the latest statistics from the Congolese Ministry of Health, the DRC has reported 2,138 suspected cases of monkeypox, including 23 deaths, since the beginning of 2025.
