The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could push nearly one million more people into poverty, threatening jobs, livelihoods and economic stability across the region, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) warned on Tuesday.

The agency estimates the outbreak could put 300,000 jobs at risk and cost African economies up to $3.6 billion if the crisis spreads and broader regional shocks intensify.

''We are seeing the impact in real time: jobs are disappearing, markets are slowing down and families are being pushed to the edge,” said UNDP Resident Representative Damien Mama.

“When people lose income and access to basic goods, they face impossible choices. In some cases, survival pressures lead them to break quarantine or isolation measures, increasing the risk of transmission.”