The European Union has launched two projects, totaling €20 million ($21.7 million), to combat the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Coordinated actions will target six heavily affected provinces, including Equateur and North Kivu.
The initiatives aim to strengthen the nation’s health system for future epidemic preparedness.
The projects, implemented by partners like UNICEF and WHO, were announced in Kinshasa.
These funds will support early detection, prevention, and treatment of mpox.
Nicolas Berlanga Martinez, EU Ambassador to the DRC, emphasized strengthening public health structures.
The funding will also work to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.
The EU has already delivered 322,300 mpox vaccine doses to the DRC, part of a broader commitment to the Africa CDC.
Congolese health officials report challenges due to ongoing conflict, with residents fleeing treatment centers in the east.
Recent data from the Africa CDC shows a 31% weekly increase in mpox cases, bringing the total to 16,255.