DR Congo: Action Against Hunger responds to the Ebola emergency in the DRC

Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Action Against Hunger Democratic Republic of Congo Population: 109.3 million People in Need: 21.2 million People Facing Hunger: 40.7 million Our Impact People Helped Last Year: 1,166,711 Our Team: 440 employees Program Start: 1997 The toll of the Ebola outbreak, officially declared on May 15, continues to rise. To date, more than 120 confirmed cases, over 900 suspected cases, and more than 220 deaths have been recorded in Ituri province and North Kivu. Present in both regions, Action Against Hunger is adapting its operations to respond to this large-scale crisis. Supporting Frontline Health Facilities The current outbreak is disrupting already fragile health services in this remote area. “We are present in the Mongbwalu health zone, the most affected by the outbreak, and in three other health zones in Ituri where we fear new infections in the coming days. We are working in close coordination with health and administrative authorities in the area. Our teams are highly mobilized to support health facilities as effectively as possible, in order to protect healthcare workers, who are particularly exposed to the risk of infection,” explains Julie Drouet, Country Director of Action Against Hunger in the DRC. In 12 health facilities in Mongbwalu, Action Against Hunger is providing protective equipment for medical staff, as well as infection prevention and control supplies (chlorine, sprayers for disinfection, cleaning equipment, etc.). In the DRC, only 37% of the population has access to a safe water source, and only 30% of health facilities have access to a reliable water supply. “In this context, infection prevention measures such as handwashing are difficult to implement,” adds Ms. Drouet. “That is why we are also supporting ...

Original source: Relief Web