DR Congo bans 72 organizations for squandering Ebola funds
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Government has suspended 72 organizations that are involved in the Ebola outbreak response after they failed to account for the fund expenses.
Black News 
Kinshasa, DR Congo
More than 72 Non-Government Organizations operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo are in hot soup following a scandal surrounding the misuse of funds mobilized for Ebola response.
In connection with that, therefore, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Government has suspended 72 organizations that are involved in the Ebola outbreak response after they failed to account for the fund expenses.
The organizations are allegedly linked to the misallocation of nearly US$700 million in Ebola aid funds, at the time when the disease is killing hundreds in the Eastern African country.
“Only those holding accreditation can operate in the field,” said the DR Congo Minister of Health Roger Kamba Kamba.
The DR Congo Health Minister, Kamba noted that just 25 out of the 97 implementing structures had met the Kinshasa government requirements.
The controversy intensified after the Director General of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr Jean Kaseya, revealed that nearly US$962 million had been disbursed directly by donors to international institution and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) instead of channeling the funds through the DR Congo government.
“Every dollar mobilized for the Ebola cause must serve to protect lives. Every actor must be accountable,” Kaseya stated.
The DR Congo government now requires all partners to demonstrate fund traceability and proper use of resources before receiving accreditation.
With Ebola having claimed over 4,410 lives from the 9,144 reported cases, authorities are demanding answers over missing health funds amid one of the country’s deadliest outbreaks.
Meanwhile violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to drive displacement and hinder humanitarian access.
In South Kivu and North Kivu provinces, recent hostilities have displaced more than 26,000 people, further increasing humanitarian needs and impeding the delivery of assistance.
In Ituri Province, insecurity continues to put civilians and humanitarian operations at risk. On Tuesday this week, four civilians were killed near Pimbo in Djugu Territory, according to local civil society. The attack led to the suspension of traffic along National Road 27, a key humanitarian and commercial corridor, and forced cancellation of a planned humanitarian mission.
The incident comes amid a broader deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Djugu, where armed attacks and clashes have caused civilian casualties, displaced thousands of people and disrupted humanitarian activities, including the Ebola response.
National health authorities have now reported nearly 9,100 confirmed Ebola cases and more than 4,400 deaths.
Despite these challenges, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to support national authorities in containing the outbreak and assisting affected communities.
The UN reiterates its call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need.
