New Ebola Outbreak in the DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is once again facing an Ebola outbreak amid a context already marked by prolonged armed conflict, massive population displacement, and a persistent humanitarian crisis in the eastern part of the country. 

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an alert regarding this new outbreak reported in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones in Ituri Province, in the northeast of the country, with preliminary figures indicating approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths.  

ActionAid International DRC maintains a strong operational presence in Ituri through its provincial office in Bunia, implementing humanitarian and development interventions focused on education, protection, food security, resilience, and emergency response. 

In collaboration with ECHO, UNFPA, STAR Est and UNOCHA, ActionAid DRC supports works in the Ituri Province to enhance dignity, security, safety, protection, and rights of vulnerables populations while contributing to a more protective environment. The organization also works to increase access to safe and quality learning environment for all children especially those affected by conflict to challenge inequality and advance social justice.  

Other areas of intervention include the establishment and strengthening of sustainable resilient livelihood support systems to achieve self-reliance and equitable access to resources for persons of concern. Across Bunia, Drodro, Mangala, and Bamabu health zones in the Djugu territory.  

These interventions have reduced exposure to protection risks and allowed for effective, safe, and dignified assistance through community and women-led initiatives. In the Djugu territory, ActionAid DRC supported children especially those affected by conflict over the years to prioritise transformative education as a crucial enabler to empower learners affected by crisis with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to address the interconnected challenges they are facing. ActionAid has supported 123,500 small-scale farmers in Lita and Nizi health zones to strengthen their sustainable resilient livelihood initiatives to achieve self-reliance.  

As concerns grow over the spread of Ebola, it remains essential to ensure that communities have access to reliable information, protection services, and community support mechanisms that strengthen their resilience. 

“We are particularly concerned about women and children, who remain the most vulnerable in this type of crisis. An Ebola outbreak can quickly worsen existing vulnerabilities in communities already weakened by conflict, poverty, and displacement. It is urgent to strengthen prevention measures and protect communities before the situation deteriorates further,” said Yakubu Mohammed Saani, Country Director.  

Previous Ebola outbreaks in the DRC have shown that an effective response cannot rely solely on medical interventions. Community trust, public awareness, the involvement of local leaders, and support for frontline workers are essential to limiting the spread of the virus.  

ActionAid DRC therefore activated prevention measures across all its interventions to better protect children, families, and communities. These measures include community awareness campaigns, the promotion of good hygiene practices, and the dissemination of reliable information on risks and prevention methods. 

The organization is also calling on partners and donors to support with additional funding to support prevention efforts, community outreach, and the protection of the most vulnerable populations in the face of this new health emergency. 

Last year, ActionAid reached more than 606,641 people in the DRC through its humanitarian and development programmes.