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FAO backs $3.9bn GEF-9 funding for food security

lebdaily.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:55:06 +0000

SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN / MENA Newswire / — The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations welcomed the ninth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility, saying initial pledges of $3.9 billion will support agriculture, climate and food security solutions. The funding cycle, known as GEF-9, covers 2026 to 2030. It will help countries finance environmental action through more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.

GEF-9 aims to strengthen food systems, land restoration and climate resilience.

FAO said the replenishment will support work across biodiversity, climate, land, pollution and water management. The announcement came during the Eighth GEF Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The meeting brought governments and partners together ahead of global talks on desertification, biodiversity and climate. The Global Environment Facility said the new cycle sets a $3.9 billion programming level.

GEF-9 includes support for integrated programs on food systems, drylands, drought management, sustainable forest management, urban systems and island ecosystems. FAO said agrifood systems play a central role in environmental action because farming, forestry, fisheries and food value chains affect land, water, emissions and livelihoods. The agency linked the replenishment to country needs for climate adaptation, food security and biodiversity protection.

Agrifood systems anchor new funding cycle

The Eighth GEF Assembly ran from May 30 to June 6 in Samarkand. It is the highest governing body of the Global Environment Facility and includes 186 member countries. The assembly meets once every four years. Participants included government officials, international organizations, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, women, youth and private sector representatives.

FAO said earlier GEF support showed how agrifood projects can deliver environmental gains. Examples include land restoration through better soil and grazing practices, climate-resilient rice systems and agroforestry. The agency said these activities can improve pasture health, support herding systems, reduce pressure on land and strengthen resilience to droughts, floods and heat.

FAO-GEF partnership expands country support

Since 2006, FAO has helped more than 140 countries access $2 billion in GEF resources. It said those projects also drew more than $14 billion in co-financing for agrifood systems. Reported results include improved practices across 173 million hectares of landscapes and seascapes, 8.8 million hectares under restoration and benefits for 33 million people.

The latest funding cycle follows GEF-8, which supported several FAO-led integrated programs. They covered food systems, clean and healthy oceans, and forests in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. FAO also became an implementing agency for the GEF Small Grants Programme. The agency said the new replenishment will keep food systems, agriculture and environmental protection connected in country-led projects through 2030.

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Korean cosmetics exports hit US$5.6 billion in five months

lebdaily.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:55:20 +0000

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / MENA Newswire / — South Korea’s cosmetics exports reached US$5.6 billion in the first five months of 2026, government data showed, rising from US$4.6 billion a year earlier. The increase put Korean cosmetics at the top of the country’s major consumer goods export categories. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources reported the January to May figures as K-beauty products continued to gain overseas sales.

Korean skincare and makeup exports extended their record run in global markets.

The data showed cosmetics led five major consumer goods groups tracked by the government. Those categories cover agricultural and fishery products, cosmetics, fashion apparel, household goods and pharmaceuticals. Agricultural and fishery products had held the top spot for the previous three years. Cosmetics moved ahead after sustained growth in skincare, makeup and other Korean beauty exports.

The latest figures add to a record run for South Korea’s cosmetics industry. Exports first passed US$10 billion in 2024. They then reached an all-time high of US$11.4 billion in 2025. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety earlier said 2025 exports rose 12.3 percent from 2024, with the United States ranking as the largest market.

Cosmetics lead consumer exports

The export rise came despite weaker shipments to China, long one of South Korea’s largest beauty markets. Government data showed stronger sales in the United States and Europe. The shift helped support total Korean cosmetics exports in the January to May period. K-beauty brands also remained visible in global retail channels, including skincare, masks, serums and makeup products.

First-quarter data had already pointed to a strong start to 2026. Korean beauty product exports reached US$3.1 billion from January to March, up 19 percent from a year earlier. That was a first-quarter record. The five-month figure showed the pace continued through April and May, as cosmetics stayed among South Korea’s better performing export products.

K-beauty sales broaden overseas

The United States was South Korea’s largest cosmetics export market in 2025, with shipments of US$2.2 billion. China and Japan followed among the main destinations. The top 10 markets accounted for more than 70 percent of total exports last year. South Korea also expanded its cosmetics export reach to 202 countries in 2025, compared with 172 in 2024.

The latest export total highlights the growing role of cosmetics in South Korea’s consumer goods trade. K-beauty exports now include a wide range of mass-market and premium products. The sector’s 2026 performance also builds on two straight annual milestones, with exports crossing US$10 billion in 2024 and setting a new record in 2025.

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WHO reports 507 Ebola cases across Congo and Uganda

lebdaily.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:30:35 +0000

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / MENA Newswire / — The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 507 confirmed Ebola cases and 88 confirmed deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The total in the latest daily Ebola update exceeds an earlier figure of 471 confirmed cases. The outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola disease. Health officials confirmed the outbreak in May after clusters appeared in eastern Congo and Uganda. Public health teams are tracking confirmed cases, suspected cases, deaths, recoveries and contacts.

Public health teams are expanding Ebola testing and contact tracing.

WHO’s daily table lists 488 confirmed cases and 86 deaths in Congo, based on data through June 5. It also lists 119 suspected cases and nine recoveries in the country. Authorities have linked the main burden to eastern provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. Earlier WHO regional updates placed the heaviest concentration in Ituri. Bunia, Rwampara, Mongbwalu and Nyankunde were among affected health zones.

Uganda accounts for 19 confirmed cases, two confirmed deaths and four recoveries in the latest WHO update. The Ministry of Health of Uganda did not report any suspected case in that daily summary. Earlier WHO updates listed cases in Kampala and Wakiso. WHO has linked exposure risks to health care settings and movements across the border from Congo. The figures place the Ebola outbreak across two countries in Central Africa and the wider Great Lakes region.

Confirmed cases replace earlier suspected totals

The case count changed as laboratories tested samples and officials reclassified earlier suspected cases. WHO says figures may undergo retrospective revision. Daily numbers come from the previous situation report issued by Congo’s public health emergency operations center. The total confirmed case fatality rate stood at 17 percent in the latest update. Congo’s confirmed case fatality rate stood at 18 percent, while Uganda’s stood at 11 percent. The latest table also lists 13 recoveries across both countries.

WHO says there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo species. Candidate tools remain under review. Care teams treat symptoms, isolate patients and trace contacts to reduce spread. The agency says it is supporting Congo and Uganda with surveillance, contact tracing, clinical care, supplies, community engagement and border readiness. Response work also includes laboratory confirmation, infection prevention and treatment centers in affected areas. Those actions form the core public health response to Ebola virus disease.

Response focuses on testing and contacts

WHO’s director general determined on May 17 that the epidemic met the test for a public health emergency of international concern. The agency rated the risk very high at the national level, high at the regional level and low at the global level. It cited needs for faster testing and stronger contact follow up. It also noted insecurity, displacement and mobile populations as challenges for contact tracing in Congo. Health authorities have also worked to expand diagnostic capacity in priority locations.

Africa CDC and WHO launched a six month, $518 million continental Ebola preparedness and response plan covering June through November 2026. The plan targets affected and at risk countries with surveillance, testing, infection control, case management, logistics and public communication. It also covers border coordination for Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus. The confirmed totals show the outbreak has grown beyond the earlier count of 471 cases. Health agencies continue to report daily figures as laboratories process samples.

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Egypt GDP rises 5.2% as foreign reserves climb

lebdaily.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:30:10 +0000

CAIRO / MENA Newswire / — Egypt’s economy grew 5.2% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2025/2026, covering July 2025 through March 2026. The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation reported the rate in its latest update on Egypt GDP growth. The period includes the first three quarters of the fiscal year. Egypt’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

Egypt’s latest fiscal data highlights GDP growth, reserves and sector activity.

The figure followed 5.3% growth in the first quarter and 5.3% in the second quarter. Third quarter growth reached 5.0%, based on government data for January to March 2026. The nine month reading keeps Egypt’s economy above the 5% mark across the reported fiscal period. It also places the latest data above the 2.4% growth recorded in fiscal year 2023/2024.

The latest Egypt economic growth data came alongside stronger external liquidity indicators. The Central Bank of Egypt reported net foreign currency reserves of $53.134 billion in May. That compared with $53.009 billion in April. Reserves serve as a key balance sheet marker for imports, debt payments and foreign currency stability. The May increase added to a series of monthly gains in reported reserves.

Growth spread across sectors

Government data for the first quarter showed broad gains in non-oil activity. Non-oil manufacturing grew 14.5%, matching the growth rate for communications and information technology. Tourist arrivals reached 5.1 million, up from 4.3 million a year earlier. Financial intermediation, insurance, electricity, wholesale trade, retail trade and construction also contributed to growth. The data showed that extractive activity continued to contract during the period.

The Suez Canal returned to positive activity growth in the first quarter, according to the GDP note. Canal activity grew about 8.6%, after declines tied to regional shipping disruption in earlier periods. Tonnage reached 138.1 million tons, compared with about 127.2 million tons a year earlier. Canal revenues reached $1.1 billion during the quarter, up from about $975 million.

Reserves add financial context

The investment side also strengthened in the first quarter. Total investment at constant prices rose to EGP 278.7 billion from EGP 224.3 billion a year earlier. That represented growth of 24.2%. The quarterly note said investment contributed 2.45 percentage points to overall growth. Activity outside oil extraction remained the main source of GDP gains during the quarter.

Egypt’s July to March GDP reading forms part of a recovery in official growth indicators since fiscal year 2023/2024. The economy expanded 5.3% in the first half of fiscal year 2025/2026. Third quarter data brought the nine month rate to 5.2%. The latest release covers three quarters of Egypt’s fiscal year and precedes the June fiscal year close.

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UN envoy cites regional push to end Middle East conflict

lebdaily.com — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:25:48 +0000

NEW YORK / MENA Newswire / — UN envoy Jean Arnault said regional agreement is emerging around a quick end to the Middle East conflict. He also cited the need to restore trust and support a lasting settlement. Arnault serves as the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the Middle East Conflict and its Consequences. His assessment followed consultations with affected countries, Security Council members, and other member states.

Middle East conflict diplomacy centers on ceasefire, dialogue and safe maritime movement. (Credit – WAM)

The envoy’s office said the broad regional convergence offers a channel for work on conflict resolution and long-term stability. It placed diplomacy at the center of the effort. Arnault has held meetings inside and outside UN headquarters in recent weeks. Those contacts have carried the call by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres for de-escalation and consolidation of the ceasefire.

Guterres appointed Arnault on March 25 to lead his efforts on the conflict and its wider consequences. The role gives him a mandate to support peace efforts and engage with governments in the region. UN statements since April have described stops in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt. Those visits formed part of his consultations with governments affected by the conflict.

Diplomatic contacts widen

Arnault’s latest consultations focused on countries affected by the war and states involved in diplomacy. His office said the contacts also included Security Council members and other UN member states. The discussions centered on reducing tensions and supporting mediation. They also addressed the need to prevent any return to hostilities after the current ceasefire.

Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in the UN effort. Arnault reaffirmed the need to restore safe movement through the waterway. The strait links the Gulf with major global shipping routes. Guterres has linked disruption there to energy, fertilizer, trade, and humanitarian concerns tied to the conflict.

Ceasefire remains central

The mission has also emphasized dialogue under the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. During his regional tour, Arnault met officials and gathered views on a comprehensive settlement. Official readouts described the meetings as part of support for efforts to reach a durable resolution. The envoy’s office said his work continues through regional and international engagement.

The latest statement said Arnault is preparing further consultations with regional and international parties. It presented the emerging consensus as relevant to ending the conflict and rebuilding cooperation damaged by war. The statement did not announce a settlement plan or a new negotiating format. It also did not set dates for the next round of meetings.

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Global health bodies seek $518 million for Ebola response

lebdaily.com — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 10:50:10 +0000

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA / MENA Newswire / — Africa’s top public health body and the World Health Organization launched a $518 million Ebola response plan on June 5, as health authorities worked to contain a Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The plan covers June through November 2026 and supports African countries in preparing for, detecting and responding to the disease.

Ebola response planning expands across Africa as agencies coordinate preparedness efforts. (Credit – WAM)

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization said the joint plan uses a single continental framework for emergency coordination, surveillance, lab testing, infection control, clinical care, community work, research, logistics and core health services. The plan also supports national response plans already launched by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

The outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern on May 17. At that time, the World Health Organization said Bundibugyo Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda met the criteria for that designation. The agency also said the event did not meet the definition of a pandemic emergency under international health rules.

Response plan targets outbreak control

The Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 452 confirmed cases and 82 confirmed deaths as of June 5, after 71 new cases were confirmed in 24 hours. The outbreak remained concentrated mainly in Ituri province, with cases also reported in North Kivu and South Kivu. Uganda reported cases linked to the same Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak.

The six month plan focuses on affected and at risk countries. It includes stronger disease surveillance, more laboratory capacity, safer clinical care and wider community engagement. It also calls for screening and public health measures at points of entry, along with closer cross border coordination among member states. Health officials said these steps support early detection and rapid response.

Funding needs remain central

The plan notes that no licensed vaccines or therapeutics have been approved specifically for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola. That makes early case finding, infection prevention, safe care and contact tracing central parts of the response. It also places attention on health workers, vulnerable groups and communities in affected areas, where trust and timely information shape outbreak control.

The $518 million plan brings together governments, partners and communities under a shared operating model. It also aims to maintain essential health services during the outbreak and reduce disruption to other health emergencies, including mpox, cholera and measles. Health authorities said work had already started across affected and priority countries before the plan was announced.

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Dollar heads for weekly gain as yen nears 160 level

lebdaily.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:55:43 +0000

TOKYO / MENA Newswire / — The dollar headed for a weekly gain on Friday as the yen hovered near the key 160 per dollar level, keeping currency markets focused on Japan. The Japanese currency traded around 159.9 per dollar in Asian and European dealings. It was on course for a fourth straight weekly decline, even after Japan spent heavily to support it in recent weeks.

Dollar yen trading stays in focus as Japan tracks moves near 160 per dollar.

The dollar index rose about 0.4 percent for the week and gained about 1.3 percent over the month. Higher U.S. yields supported the greenback against major peers. Stronger U.S. data also kept attention on interest rate gaps between the United States and Japan. The euro and sterling moved in narrow ranges, while the yen remained the main focus in major currency trading.

Japan’s Ministry of Finance said it spent 11.7349 trillion yen from April 28 to May 27 in foreign exchange operations. That marked the country’s largest monthly currency intervention total on record. The operations followed a slide beyond 160 per dollar in late April. The yen briefly strengthened after that action, but it later moved back toward the same level.

Yen pressure returns

Japan’s foreign reserves fell by $77.1 billion in May to $1.306 trillion. The decline followed the large currency operations and drew attention to the scale of official support. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said authorities were ready to respond to excessive currency moves. She also said Japan was watching speculative trading closely. Officials have used similar language during past periods of sharp yen weakness.

The yen has weakened as Japan’s interest rates remain far below U.S. rates. The Bank of Japan held its short term policy rate at 0.75 percent at its April meeting. The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its target range at 3.50 percent to 3.75 percent at its latest policy meeting. That gap has remained a central factor in dollar yen trading.

Dollar gains hold

Oil prices above $90 a barrel added pressure on Japan’s currency because the country imports much of its energy. Higher energy import costs can affect Japan’s trade balance and inflation. The dollar also drew support from demand for liquid assets during market stress linked to tensions in the Gulf. Those moves came as investors tracked U.S. labor data due later on Friday.

The yen last moved near 160 per dollar in late April, when Japan entered the market to buy yen and sell dollars. This week’s return to that level revived focus on official warnings and reserve data. The dollar’s weekly advance showed broad support across major currencies, while the yen’s losses kept Japan at the center of global foreign exchange trading.

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Investor interest lifts UAE real estate in global index

lebdaily.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 11:25:55 +0000

DUBAI / MENA Newswire / — The UAE has been ranked the world’s leading real estate investment destination in a new global investor survey commissioned by Arada and conducted by Penta Group, reflecting continued international demand for property exposure in the country. The UAE Property Investment Index found that 56 percent of surveyed global investors expressed serious interest in the UAE property market, placing it ahead of the United States at 54 percent, the United Kingdom at 41 percent, France at 28 percent and Spain at 27 percent.

UAE real estate investor survey highlights global demand for property exposure in the Emirates.

The index was based on responses from 689 established property investors across 12 key markets during April 2026. Arada said the research was designed to measure international buyer sentiment toward the UAE real estate sector, including levels of awareness, market appeal and the factors shaping investment decisions. The survey ranked the UAE as the top destination among the markets covered, with investor interest supported by perceptions of return potential, stability and ease of ownership.

Investor interest was particularly strong in markets with established economic and travel links to the Emirates. The survey found that 91 percent of respondents in India, 92 percent in Egypt and 85 percent in Saudi Arabia placed the UAE among their top three real estate investment destinations. Among European respondents, the UAE was listed as the top non-domestic option by investors surveyed in France, Germany and Switzerland.

Investor demand broadens

The research identified potential returns as the leading factor in real estate investment decisions, cited by 38 percent of global respondents. Safety and stability followed at 36 percent, while ease of purchase and ownership was cited by 34 percent. Penta Group’s findings also showed that familiarity with UAE real estate opportunities stood at 51 percent, broadly comparable with investor awareness of property opportunities in the United States and the United Kingdom.

The survey results come as Dubai’s property market continues to report elevated transaction activity. Dubai Land Department data showed that total real estate transactions in the emirate reached AED252 billion in the first quarter of 2026, a 31 percent increase in value compared with the same period a year earlier. The quarter included 60,303 real estate transactions, while investment value reached AED173 billion across 57,744 investment transactions.

Market data supports ranking

Foreign investment remained a major component of Dubai’s property activity in the first quarter, with overseas real estate investment valued at AED148.35 billion. The number of new investors also rose during the period, with 29,312 new market participants recorded, up 14 percent year-on-year. The data followed a record 2025, when Dubai registered more than 270,000 real estate transactions with a total value of AED917 billion.

The UAE ranking adds to broader indicators of international investor interest in the country’s economy and property sector. The 2026 Kearney Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index placed the UAE ninth globally and second among emerging markets. For real estate investors, the latest Arada and Penta Group survey places the country alongside the world’s largest established property markets while showing that cross-border demand remains concentrated in Dubai and the wider UAE market.

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Abu Dhabi advances climate adaptation tools

lebdaily.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 06:50:53 +0000

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / MENA Newswire / — Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi said the emirate is continuing to advance science-based environmental programmes and innovative tools to strengthen climate adaptation, protect natural resources and preserve biodiversity, as the world marks World Environment Day 2026 under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future.”

EAD is using science and smart monitoring to strengthen ecosystem protection. (Credit – WAM)

Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said the occasion renews attention on protecting natural systems and improving ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. The agency said its work over more than three decades has been built on scientific research, field monitoring and conservation programmes covering Abu Dhabi’s land, marine and coastal environments.

The agency said advanced technologies and artificial intelligence are being used in environmental monitoring and natural resource management to support climate adaptation across the emirate. Its programmes include data-driven assessment of ecosystems, monitoring of sensitive habitats and tools designed to improve understanding of pressures affecting groundwater, soil and biodiversity, which are central to Abu Dhabi’s environmental stability.

Adaptation plan sets long-term actions

The Abu Dhabi Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Environment Sector 2025-2050 is a central part of the emirate’s current environmental planning. The plan focuses on groundwater, soil and biodiversity, which the agency identifies as highly vulnerable systems that support water security, food security, agricultural productivity, human health and the overall condition of Abu Dhabi’s ecosystems.

The plan includes 142 adaptation actions extending to 2050, with 86 projects identified for implementation over the next five years. It was developed under the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy 2023-2027 and aligns with the UAE National Climate Change Plan 2017-2050 and the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience established at COP28.

Technology supports field conservation

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi said recent milestones include the documented return of the Arabian caracal after a 35-year absence, the use of smart monitoring technologies and drones to survey more than 700 sites, and the development of Abu Dhabi’s first groundwater atlas. The atlas documents more than 118,000 wells and supports the emirate’s understanding of groundwater availability and use.

The agency said its adaptation and conservation work is being carried out with partners across government, academic, civil society and youth sectors. The wider programme is part of Abu Dhabi’s environmental efforts to protect biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and sustain natural resources while supporting quality of life across the emirate.

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WHO says Congo Ebola response improves as challenges remain

lebdaily.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 03:25:53 +0000

KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO / MENA Newswire / — The World Health Organization (WHO) said the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is showing measurable progress, while warning that the outbreak remains difficult to contain in areas affected by insecurity, population movement and strained health systems. WHO reported 344 confirmed cases and 60 confirmed deaths in the country as of June 3, with infections recorded across 24 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

Ebola response planning expands across Africa as agencies coordinate preparedness efforts. (Credit – WAM)

The outbreak is caused by Bundibugyo virus disease, a less common form of Ebola for which there is no licensed vaccine or specific approved treatment. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare declared the country’s 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15 after laboratory confirmation in affected health zones. Uganda has also confirmed 15 cases and one death linked to the outbreak, with authorities maintaining surveillance and response measures near areas connected to cross-border movement.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the response had begun to catch up after the outbreak spread faster than early control efforts. Testing has expanded, with 1,445 laboratory tests completed and many previously suspected cases ruled out. WHO said 116 suspected cases and 220 suspected deaths remained under assessment. Six people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and two in Uganda have recovered, according to the latest figures presented by the agency.

Testing expands as suspected cases decline

The improvement in testing has clarified the scale of confirmed transmission after earlier figures included large numbers of suspected infections and deaths. Health authorities have been working to distinguish Ebola cases from other illnesses in communities where fever, weakness and bleeding symptoms can overlap with different diseases. WHO said improved diagnostics have reduced the backlog of pending samples, although access to laboratory testing remains uneven in conflict-affected and remote areas of eastern Congo.

Contact tracing remains one of the main gaps in the response. WHO said about 45 percent of identified contacts had been followed, far below the level needed for rapid interruption of transmission. The agency has said insecurity, displacement, misinformation and limited access to some communities continue to affect surveillance, safe burials, case investigation and early care. The Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare is coordinating response work with WHO, Uganda’s health authorities and regional partners.

Travel curbs complicate supply routes

WHO has urged governments not to impose blanket travel and trade restrictions, saying such measures can disrupt movement of health workers, laboratory materials, protective equipment and other essential supplies. The agency has recommended targeted exit screening at airports, ports and border crossings instead. It has also said response teams need stable supply routes for diagnostics, infection prevention materials and clinical care in areas where road access and security conditions are already difficult.

The agency has estimated that $115 million is needed over three months to support the response, with about 35 percent of that amount secured. The funding covers surveillance, testing, case management, community engagement, logistics and cross-border coordination. Health officials have said the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s experience with previous Ebola outbreaks remains central to the current response, while the Bundibugyo strain, active conflict and population movement continue to make the operation complex.

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