Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The United Nations is urging a faster and more comprehensive response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), as the virus continues to spread beyond the initial epicenter in Ituri province. Since the outbreak was declared on 15 May, more than 1,700 people have been infected and 600 have died, with 20 confirmed cases reported in neighboring Uganda, according to UN relief chief Tom Fletcher.
Mr. Fletcher noted that ongoing conflict, hunger, displacement, and weak health services in DR Congo have made the crisis deeply complex, affecting public health efforts and worsening humanitarian needs. He stressed that this situation is more than a public health emergency.
In response, the UN released up to $60 million in May to accelerate the outbreak response, including efforts to prepare neighboring countries and build trust with local communities. The World Health Organization has collaborated with the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) to provide medical equipment and establish isolation and treatment units. Additionally, the UN’s Inter-Agency Standing Committee has initiated a System-Wide Scale-Up, and Senior Ebola Coordinator Julien Harneis has been deployed to support containment efforts.
Despite these measures, travel restrictions and conflict continue to disrupt humanitarian operations, health services, and essential trade, without halting the spread of the virus. Mr. Fletcher called for all parties to ensure safe and sustained access for humanitarian and health personnel, supplies, and response equipment. He emphasized that prevention depends on surveillance, laboratory testing, referral systems, infection control, and community engagement tailored to both men and women.
Delays in the response, according to the UN relief chief, will result in more Ebola deaths and worsen the broader humanitarian impact of the outbreak.