France will step up financial and humanitarian support to combat viral disease resurgences in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, aiming to prevent regional health crises from escalating.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the expanded backing on Saturday during a rare trip to Bunia, according to official diplomatic statements released from the field.
Paris allocated €13.4 million ($15.1 million) between January and July for local disease control. Barrot confirmed he will propose additional humanitarian funding during upcoming French budget deliberations.
The commitment reinforces France’s broader aid strategy in Central Africa, which operates through emergency funding, medical research partnerships, and the PRISM program launched during President Emmanuel Macron’s 2023 visit.
The intervention comes as eastern Congo faces compounding biological threats. Officials in Bunia confirmed a laboratory-diagnosed case of mpox in mid-September, underscoring the region’s complex biosecurity challenges.
Public health experts emphasize that sustained funding is critical for regional economic stability. Barrot warned that waning vigilance could allow viral pathogens to resurge rapidly across vital commerce zones.
Global funding targets and long-term containment strategies will be finalized at a national humanitarian conference scheduled in Paris on October 6.
