Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), addressed the people of Ituri and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, acknowledging the ongoing challenges they face with Ebola amid insecurity. He recalled his fourteen visits to North Kivu from 2018 to 2020, during a major Ebola outbreak across North Kivu, South Kivu, and parts of Ituri, emphasizing his personal connection to the region and its people.
He described the outbreak as occurring amid armed conflict that displaced communities, disrupted supply routes, and exposed health workers to constant threats. Despite fighting near cities like Beni, health workers continued their efforts to control the disease. Tedros highlighted the courage of these individuals and explained how the security situation and mistrust within communities delayed effective responses.
He further emphasized the importance of building trust by listening to communities and respecting their voices, which improved cooperation and outcomes. Tedros noted receiving the local name 'Dr Paluku' as a sign of bond and respect from people he met, underlining the human aspect of the response beyond institutions and titles.
He observed that the challenges currently faced in Ituri resemble those from the earlier outbreak in North Kivu, underscoring both the difficulties and the resilience of people confronting Ebola amid conflict.