United Nations agencies are bolstering their response to the deadly Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while simultaneously working to strengthen preparedness and raise awareness in at-risk communities. The outbreak, declared on May 15 in Ituri province, is exacerbating an already severe humanitarian situation marked by widespread hunger.
Within 72 hours of the outbreak declaration, the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered 11.5 tonnes of essential medical supplies and equipment from Kinshasa, Dakar, and Nairobi. These supplies included personal protective equipment, medical kits, tents, and crucial water, sanitation, and hygiene items to prevent infection and aid case management.
UN Mission Support Enhances Logistics
Collaboration with partner organizations and the private sector has been vital. The UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, swiftly deployed its air assets to support Congolese authorities and UN agencies. Starting Sunday, MONUSCO established an “air bridge” to transport WHO emergency supplies from Nairobi to Bunia, the capital of Ituri province. Additionally, four vehicles and two motorcycles were sent to Bunia to bolster ground logistics. By Wednesday, the mission had airlifted nearly 30 tonnes of supplies to the city.
Peacekeepers Lead Community Awareness Campaigns
MONUSCO’s involvement extends beyond logistics, with peacekeepers actively conducting community awareness campaigns. On Monday, “blue helmets” visited Tchabi in Irumi territory, educating residents on preventative measures like personal hygiene and the risks associated with consuming bush meat. A similar initiative took place the following day in Fataki, targeting internally displaced people and local communities. Teams utilized loudspeakers to emphasize regular handwashing, the proper use of protective equipment, and the recognition of Ebola symptoms. “These initiatives aim to enhance community preparedness, reduce panic, and protect vulnerable populations, in line with MONUSCO’s civilian protection mandate,” the UN mission stated.
Ebola Outbreak Compounds Existing Hunger Crisis
The Ebola outbreak is compounding an already dire humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, where armed groups have been active for decades. The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that 26.5 million people nationwide are facing acute food insecurity, with 10 million in Ituri and three other eastern provinces experiencing severe hunger due to conflict and displacement. In Ituri alone, approximately 1.7 million people, over a third of the population, are at crisis or worse hunger levels.
WFP Delivers Vital Assistance Amidst Crisis
The WFP highlighted that the epicenter of the health crisis is within its operational areas in eastern DRC, positioning the agency to play a key role in the overall response. WFP is providing essential assistance, including support to frontline health workers. The agency is facilitating the transport of aid workers, medical supplies, and cargo to hard-to-reach areas and stands ready to scale up its efforts. Furthermore, WFP is offering critical logistics services for the broader humanitarian community and providing food and nutrition assistance to patients, survivors, contacts, and affected households. WFP requires over $214 million for its DRC operations, with more than $10 million specifically allocated for Ebola response.
UNICEF Expresses Concern for Vulnerable Children
The UN child rights agency, UNICEF, has voiced significant concern for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of Ebola outbreaks. Children face disruptions to essential services, potential loss of parents and caregivers, stigma, psychosocial distress, and increased protection risks. UNICEF has mobilized nearly 50 tonnes of supplies, including disinfectants, soaps, personal protective equipment, and water purification tablets. An Emergency Rapid Response team is en route to Bunia to provide technical assistance in priority areas, focusing on risk communication and community engagement. Despite the presence of over 2,000 community health workers, additional capacity and resources are urgently needed, especially in remote areas.
Rare Ebola Strain Identified
The DRC has faced Ebola 17 times since the virus was first discovered 50 years ago. The current outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which no vaccines or medicines are currently available. To date, there have been 139 deaths and approximately 600 suspected cases in the DRC, with Uganda confirming two cases. The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, necessitating coordinated international response, but not a pandemic emergency.
