Attacks on Red Cross in DR Congo making Ebola fight 'harder'

Geneva — The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has expressed deep concern after six workers involved in the fight against a devastating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo were injured in a series of attacks last week. Humanitarian workers and volunteers are risking their lives in their efforts to contain the epidemic, but attacks against them are utterly reprehensible, according to the statement released by the movement.

On August 17, a convoy of the Ugandan Red Cross, which was assisting the Ebola response, was targeted in Ituri province, the epicenter of the outbreak. The attackers seriously injured one person and damaged two ambulances by throwing stones and vandalizing them. The following day, two volunteers sustained injuries while carrying out a burial in Haut-Uele province. They had to be evacuated for medical attention, and two vehicles were damaged in the process.

The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday in Beni, North Kivu province, where three volunteers were attacked and suffered injuries. In addition, the equipment utilized in the Ebola response was destroyed. The statement emphasized that these attacks serve as a stark reminder of the grave risks faced by humanitarians when combating epidemics.