The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised concerns over more than $700 million in funding intended to support the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo).
Africa CDC Director-General Dr. Jean Kaseya said a review of financial records had failed to establish where much of the reported funding ultimately went.
According to Africanews, Kaseya raised the issue during a press conference in Kinshasa on Wednesday, October 14.
The findings have renewed questions about financial transparency and accountability in international health assistance.
Africa CDC identifies major gap in Ebola funding records
Kaseya said international donors reported distributing $962 million to organisations responsible for implementing Ebola response programmes.
However, a joint verification exercise conducted with Congolese health authorities could trace only slightly more than $200 million to the organisations and facilities involved in the response.
This left more than $700 million without a clearly established destination in the records examined.
The figures represent a gap in financial verification. They do not, by themselves, establish that the money was stolen or misused.
Kaseya called for greater accountability over how international health funding is distributed and monitored.
Fewer than 30% of partners participated in review
According to Kaseya, fewer than 30% of the organisations responsible for implementing the programmes participated in the verification exercise.
The limited participation made it more difficult for investigators to establish how the reported funding had been used.
Africa CDC has therefore raised concerns about the availability of financial records and the ability to track resources from donors to organisations operating on the ground.
The review did not establish what happened to the entire amount that could not be traced.
Ebola response funding raises accountability concerns
DR Congo has experienced several Ebola outbreaks over the past decades.
These emergencies have required extensive medical assistance, disease surveillance and support from international partners.
Effective financial oversight is important because funding is intended to support healthcare workers, treatment facilities and other public health activities.
The concerns raised by Africa CDC highlight the need for reliable records and clear reporting throughout the funding process.
Greater transparency could also help ensure that available resources reach the communities and health services they are intended to support.
Africa CDC calls for greater financial transparency
The findings have brought renewed attention to the management of international health assistance in DR Congo.
However, the verification gap does not establish wrongdoing by any particular organisation or individual.
Further examination of financial records and cooperation from implementing partners would be needed to determine how the funds were distributed and spent.
For now, Africa CDC is seeking clearer accountability for the reported funding and greater transparency in the management of future health emergency responses.