The United Nations (UN) says more than 3,200 people have died from the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as humanitarian agencies call for increased international support to contain the disease.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, on Tuesday September 8, said the DRC government, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Africa CDC and other partners had launched a revised six-month Ebola response plan requiring $1.3 billion. The plan includes expanded surveillance, contact tracing, treatment, community engagement and preparedness.
The World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the health crisis is being compounded by conflict, displacement and severe food insecurity in eastern DRC. WFP Country Director David Stevenson said more than 500,000 people in Ituri Province are facing IPC Phase 4 food insecurity, making food assistance essential to the Ebola response.
Stevenson said hungry families may struggle to comply with health measures, while people in remote communities often face long distances and poor roads to reach treatment centres. He called for more resources to expand Ebola treatment facilities and deliver food assistance to hard-to-reach areas.
The UN said the broader $2.1 billion Humanitarian Response Plan for the DRC is only about half funded, underscoring the need for additional resources. The country has experienced 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified about five decades ago, with the current crisis placing additional pressure on communities already affected by prolonged conflict and displacement.
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