Attacks on Red Cross in DR Congo making Ebola fight ‘harder’

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has expressed grave concern over recent attacks against Red Cross workers battling a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ongoing conflict has resulted in 2,557 deaths from 5,375 confirmed Ebola cases.

On August 17, a Ugandan Red Cross convoy engaged in Ebola response efforts was targeted in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter. The attack left one person seriously injured and damaged two ambulances. Two days later, two volunteers sustained injuries while conducting a burial in Haut-Uele province. The next day, three more volunteers were attacked and injured, and their emergency response equipment was destroyed in Beni, North Kivu province.

The Red Cross emphasized that such attacks highlight the significant risks faced by humanitarian personnel during epidemic and emergency situations. It stressed that respect for humanitarian personnel and activities is crucial to ensuring the delivery of essential health and humanitarian services to affected communities. Since the Ebola outbreak was declared on May 15, 12 volunteers have been injured, ambulances damaged, and emergency response equipment destroyed in 11 violent incidents.

The Red Cross implored communities, local leaders, and all relevant stakeholders to provide support, respect, and protection for humanitarian action. They stressed that volunteers, health workers, and humanitarian staff must be able to perform their duties without fear of violence, intimidation, or threats. The virus has primarily affected regions with weak health infrastructure and a long history of armed conflict.

The Bundibugyo strain of the virus, with no available vaccines or treatments, has led to the worst Ebola outbreak in DRC history, with a total of 2,557 deaths from 5,375 confirmed cases.