DR Congo allocates 10 mln USD to fight mpox: president

KINSHASA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) decided to allocate 10 million U.S. dollars to contain the mpox outbreak, the DRC presidential office announced late Thursday via X.

The announcement came after DRC President Felix Tshisekedi met with visiting WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Your commitment to the mpox response demonstrates strong dedication," said Tedros, adding that the delivery of mpox vaccines would "be done as soon as possible."

Tedros reiterated the WHO's unwavering support for the DRC's efforts to control mpox and other diseases, including immunization programs for polio, measles, and malaria.

DRC Health Minister Roger Kamba said Tuesday that the ongoing mpox outbreak has resulted in more than 17,801 suspected cases and 610 deaths.

The suspected cases are being reported in conflict-affected provinces that host the majority of the country's 7.3 million internally displaced people, "worsening an already untenable situation for a population devastated by decades of conflict," said a statement from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees on Tuesday.

On Monday, the WHO launched a Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan for mpox to end human-to-human transmission of smallpox through coordinated efforts at global, regional, and national levels.

"The mpox outbreaks in the DRC and neighboring countries can be controlled, and can be stopped," said Tedros.