Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda: Ebola Outbreak

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts

Thursday 21st May 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the World Health Organization’s designation of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern.

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Baroness Chapman of Darlington) (Lab)]

The Government are closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are working with international partners, including the WHO and Africa CDC, to support a co-ordinated response and to strengthen surveillance, containment and preparedness. We have committed up to £21 million to this effort. I will travel to the region next week to engage Ministers and demonstrate the UK’s support. Although it is a serious outbreak, the risk to the UK public remains low.

[Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend the Minister for her response. Ebola cases and deaths are increasing on a daily basis, hence the designation by the World Health Organization. Given the severity of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, compounded by ongoing warfare, will she ensure, in discussions with ministerial colleagues in the Foreign Office, that the financial allocation to the overseas aid budget is increased to enable humanitarian organisations to help scale up a treatment and prevention resource? This should include addressing the shortage in medics, PPE and infection control measures, including the speedy development, testing and approval of a vaccine to assist in the eradication of this disease.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We have already allocated £1 million, plus we have up to another £20 million through the team in Kinshasa. We are working closely with colleagues in Kampala. There have been two cases. Reassuringly, the other suspected cases have tested negative. We are working closely with the Government in Uganda to support them. They are also offering to support the Government in Kinshasa in addressing this outbreak. We are working closely with CDC and the WHO. We are the lead partner co-ordinating donors. As my noble friend said, it is an extremely difficult part of the world in which to operate and respond to these kinds of deadly outbreaks, but we are working with partners and those on the ground to do that.