World leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) have issued a joint appeal for an immediate and coordinated international response to the re-emergence of Ebola in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, warning that the outbreak poses a serious cross-border health security threat.
The statement, released on 16 June 2026, was also endorsed by partner nations including Egypt, India, Kenya, and the Republic of Korea, underscoring widening international concern over the developing situation in Central and East Africa.
Outbreak Concentrated in Conflict-Affected Region
According to the joint declaration, the current Ebola outbreak is centred in an isolated and conflict-affected area in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, complicating containment efforts and limiting access to medical support and humanitarian logistics.
The leaders expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and the impact on affected communities, while commending frontline healthcare workers, volunteers, and local responders operating under extremely difficult conditions.
They also noted that the viral strain involved presents additional challenges, as existing vaccines, diagnostic tools, and treatments are not fully effective against it.
Containment Strategy Focused on Borders and Contact Tracing
The G7 statement emphasized that preventing further spread remains the top priority, particularly across the affected zones and into neighbouring countries such as Uganda and beyond.
Key containment measures outlined include intensive contact tracing, quarantine protocols, infection prevention controls, laboratory testing, and strengthened border surveillance systems.
The leaders stressed that limiting the outbreak’s geographic spread would allow for more concentrated deployment of medical and humanitarian resources.
Major Financial Commitments from Global Partners
The declaration highlighted significant international funding already mobilized in response to the outbreak.
The United States has reportedly deployed over $370 million in health and humanitarian assistance to the region, alongside plans for an additional $500 million dedicated specifically to Ebola response efforts, as well as $650 million in broader humanitarian support for the Great Lakes region.
The European Union has also committed approximately €493 million in emergency aid, vaccine development, and health security measures, including €84 million in immediate humanitarian assistance.
In addition, the Continental Preparedness and Response Plan has allocated around $518 million to support African countries in detection, preparedness, and response operations.
Call for Expanded Global Participation and Private Sector Role
G7 leaders urged additional countries and international partners to contribute resources based on their capacity, warning that the outbreak represents a global public health risk.
The statement also encouraged private sector involvement, particularly in accelerating the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment tools tailored to the current strain.
Support for Humanitarian Response Expansion
The leaders reaffirmed backing for a “humanitarian reset” coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which aims to reach approximately 87 million people with lifesaving assistance in 2026.
They noted that G7 nations have already provided more than two-thirds of current funding for this initiative and called on other states to increase their contributions.
Travel Coordination and Global Health Safeguards
With international travel expected to rise for both business and major events, including the upcoming World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the G7 emphasized the need for coordinated public health measures.
While respecting national sovereignty, the leaders called for alignment on travel screening, quarantine rules, and isolation procedures for individuals traveling from affected regions.
Conflict in Eastern DRC Identified as Major Obstacle
The statement also pointed to ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as a significant barrier to effective public health intervention.
The G7 urged all parties involved in the conflict to fully implement existing peace frameworks, including regional agreements aimed at stabilizing the area and enabling humanitarian access.
Next Steps and International Coordination Efforts
To strengthen coordination, the United States announced plans to convene a G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting aimed at expanding financial support and aligning global response strategies.
G7 leaders concluded their statement by reaffirming the need for unified international action, improved coordination among response agencies, and avoidance of duplicated efforts to ensure an efficient and rapid containment of the outbreak.
World leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) have issued a joint appeal for an immediate and coordinated international response to the re-emergence of Ebola in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, warning that the outbreak poses a serious cross-border health security threat.
The statement, released on 16 June 2026, was also endorsed by partner nations including Egypt, India, Kenya, and the Republic of Korea, underscoring widening international concern over the developing situation in Central and East Africa.
Outbreak Concentrated in Conflict-Affected Region
According to the joint declaration, the current Ebola outbreak is centred in an isolated and conflict-affected area in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, complicating containment efforts and limiting access to medical support and humanitarian logistics.
The leaders expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and the impact on affected communities, while commending frontline healthcare workers, volunteers, and local responders operating under extremely difficult conditions.
They also noted that the viral strain involved presents additional challenges, as existing vaccines, diagnostic tools, and treatments are not fully effective against it.
Containment Strategy Focused on Borders and Contact Tracing
The G7 statement emphasized that preventing further spread remains the top priority, particularly across the affected zones and into neighbouring countries such as Uganda and beyond.
Key containment measures outlined include intensive contact tracing, quarantine protocols, infection prevention controls, laboratory testing, and strengthened border surveillance systems.
The leaders stressed that limiting the outbreak’s geographic spread would allow for more concentrated deployment of medical and humanitarian resources.
Major Financial Commitments from Global Partners
The declaration highlighted significant international funding already mobilized in response to the outbreak.
The United States has reportedly deployed over $370 million in health and humanitarian assistance to the region, alongside plans for an additional $500 million dedicated specifically to Ebola response efforts, as well as $650 million in broader humanitarian support for the Great Lakes region.
The European Union has also committed approximately €493 million in emergency aid, vaccine development, and health security measures, including €84 million in immediate humanitarian assistance.
In addition, the Continental Preparedness and Response Plan has allocated around $518 million to support African countries in detection, preparedness, and response operations.
Call for Expanded Global Participation and Private Sector Role
G7 leaders urged additional countries and international partners to contribute resources based on their capacity, warning that the outbreak represents a global public health risk.
The statement also encouraged private sector involvement, particularly in accelerating the development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment tools tailored to the current strain.
Support for Humanitarian Response Expansion
The leaders reaffirmed backing for a “humanitarian reset” coordinated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which aims to reach approximately 87 million people with lifesaving assistance in 2026.
They noted that G7 nations have already provided more than two-thirds of current funding for this initiative and called on other states to increase their contributions.
Travel Coordination and Global Health Safeguards
With international travel expected to rise for both business and major events, including the upcoming World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the G7 emphasized the need for coordinated public health measures.
While respecting national sovereignty, the leaders called for alignment on travel screening, quarantine rules, and isolation procedures for individuals traveling from affected regions.
Conflict in Eastern DRC Identified as Major Obstacle
The statement also pointed to ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as a significant barrier to effective public health intervention.
The G7 urged all parties involved in the conflict to fully implement existing peace frameworks, including regional agreements aimed at stabilizing the area and enabling humanitarian access.
Next Steps and International Coordination Efforts
To strengthen coordination, the United States announced plans to convene a G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting aimed at expanding financial support and aligning global response strategies.
G7 leaders concluded their statement by reaffirming the need for unified international action, improved coordination among response agencies, and avoidance of duplicated efforts to ensure an efficient and rapid containment of the outbreak.
