The United Arab Emirates, through the UAE Aid Agency, has allocated Ksh 1.296 billion (US$10 million) to bolster international Ebola response efforts and strengthen healthcare systems in affected African regions. This funding, directed by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was announced during the UAE’s participation in a U.S.-convened international meeting on Ebola at the United Nations General Assembly. The contribution aligns with Kenya’s heightened preparedness measures, as the East African nation reinforces surveillance, border controls, and laboratory capacity to mitigate risks from the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Kenya, which has recorded no confirmed Ebola cases, has prioritized cross-border coordination due to its role as a regional transport and trade hub. At the Busia border, one of Kenya’s busiest crossings, over 3,000 people and freight traverse daily toward DRC, Uganda, and other neighboring states. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the critical need for enhanced surveillance and collaboration to curb regional spread. Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, highlighted the UAE’s commitment to global health security, stating the agency has dispatched over 150 tonnes of medical supplies, including protective gear and infection-control materials, to 280 health facilities in affected areas.
The UAE’s intervention builds on its broader humanitarian engagement in Africa, including a February 2023 aid shipment to drought-stricken communities in northeastern Kenya. Kenya’s Ministry of Health is also advancing its own preparedness, with plans for a 200-bed National Infectious Diseases Centre to integrate diagnosis, treatment, and research. The facility aims to enhance early detection and response to public health threats. Meanwhile, the DRC’s Ebola outbreak, which expanded geographically by 25 September, underscores the urgency of international cooperation and investment in resilient health systems to prevent cross-border transmission.
Regional and global stakeholders stress that proactive measures—such as Kenya’s border surveillance and the UAE’s financial support—are vital to containing the outbreak. As the DRC grapples with the crisis, the collaboration between governments, international organizations, and donors remains central to safeguarding public health across East Africa.