DR Congo: Concern responds to Ebola outbreak in DRC -- public appeal launched | Concern Worldwide

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Concern Worldwide Concern Worldwide is responding to help protect communities and prevent the current outbreak of Ebola in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from spreading. The Ebola outbreak, confirmed on May 15, is estimated to have resulted in 129 deaths, 101 confirmed cases and 904 suspected cases in DRC up to yesterday (May 24). In addition, there has been one death, five confirmed cases and three suspected cases in neighbouring Uganda, and fears it is already widespread regionally. The World Health Organisation has determined the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern and upgraded the risk in DRC to “very high.” The epicentre of the outbreak is Ituri province, in the northeast of the country. Concern Worldwide has 100 staff in neighbouring North Kivu where cases have also been confirmed. “In North Kivu, people are scared but deeply resilient. They have seen what this disease is capable of before and are calling for an immediate response to protect them and their families,” Concern’s Country Director in DRC, David Jones, said. “We are mobilising our emergency response capabilities, using the expertise taken from responding to previous outbreaks - whether Ebola, cholera, or COVID19 - and will work tirelessly to ensure that people are informed, protected, and prepared.” Conflict The challenges are considerable. Ituri and North Kivu are part of a major cross border commercial corridor, with many people moving through the region. The region has also been impacted by multiple on-going conflicts, such as that between the government and the M23 armed group, which seized control of the major eastern cities, Goma and Bukavu, in January 2025, and has since governed them and surrounding areas. Fighting has damaged local service...

Original source: Relief Web