Ebola emergency relief in the DRC

For almost a year, the latest Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was confined to the sparsely populated eastern part of the country. But then the first patients died of Ebola in the major city of Goma, 300 kilometers from the outbreak area, and neighboring Uganda also reported three cases. The WHO immediately declared an international health emergency.

The current epidemic, already the tenth the country has seen, is different from those experienced previously. For the first time, it broke out in an active conflict zone, making it more difficult to combat the disease. In addition, aid workers are this time finding it difficult to overcome the mistrust of the population. As a result, some people prefer to hide when they themselves or a relative show symptoms of the disease, rather than seeking treatment.

Another new aspect is the high proportion of children affected. Almost one-third of confirmed cases are minors, many of them only a few months or years old. But the impact of the epidemic is not limited to the disease itself, many children have lost parents, caregivers and teachers. Moreover, they are often shunned by society if someone in their family has contracted Ebola.

According to official figures, more than 2,000 people have died. Many more are likely to follow unless the spread of the virus can be stopped quickly.

Ebola is generally relatively easy to contain as long as the authorities, health workers and the affected population act quickly and decisively. UNICEF works to ensure that local communities can manage Ebola epidemics on their own. That is because their members know best how to raise awareness about the disease and its transmission, how to locate infected people and how to conduct safe, dignified burials.

UNICEF takes action on three levels:

• Information: Working with influential people from communities and churches, Ebola survivors, social workers and the media, UNICEF provides vulnerable households with critical knowledge about Ebola symptoms, prevention and treatment.
• Prevention: UNICEF sets up handwashing facilities in health centers, schools and public buildings, provides access to clean drinking water, distributes water purification tablets, and provides information about vaccination options.
• Psychosocial support: Together with partners, UNICEF trains helpers to provide counseling and support to affected families. In addition to the Ebola treatment centers in Beni and Butembo, UNICEF has set up daycare centers where survivors care for young children who have lost their parents to Ebola or are temporarily separated from them during treatment.