The United Nations has approved the release of approximately $60 million from its emergency response fund to help contain an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while also deploying additional humanitarian and medical personnel.

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher emphasized the urgency of the response, saying the goal is to “get ahead” of the outbreak. He noted that relief operations are taking place under extremely difficult conditions, including ongoing conflict and significant population movement, both of which complicate containment efforts.

Health experts believe the virus—belonging to a rare strain for which no approved vaccine currently exists—may have been circulating undetected for about two months in the Ituri province before it was identified. This delay has raised concerns about the potential for wider spread.

The outbreak highlights the challenges of responding to infectious diseases in unstable regions, where limited infrastructure, insecurity, and high mobility can significantly hinder rapid medical intervention.