Congo-Kinshasa: DR Congo Ebola Response Making Progress, but More Support Urgently Needed, Senior Ebola Coordinator Says

Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis opened a press briefing on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). He emphasized that while there is progress in some areas, the epidemic remains deadly and massive, with progress in places like the city of Bunia in Ituri province. However, cases continue to increase in other areas, such as Butembo in North Kivu.

The affected regions span a vast area, from Bunia in the northwest to Sud-Ubangi in the southeast, a distance roughly equivalent to the journey from Geneva to Dublin, spanning two time zones. The response faces numerous challenges, including access issues due to poor road conditions, limited small aircraft access in some areas, and violence against aid workers and health facilities.

Despite these challenges, coordination among government leaders, WHO, UN agencies, NGOs, and the Africa CDC is strong, with an integrated approach that has expanded bed capacity in Ebola treatment centers from 900 to 1,340 in the past month. However, greater international solidarity and funding are urgently needed to fully support the Ebola response and broader humanitarian efforts, as the current funding only covers 49% of the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.