UNHCR Warns Ebola Outbreak Accelerates Threat to Displaced Communities in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised alarms regarding the rapid spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This outbreak poses significant risks to displaced communities in the region. As of June 17, there have been 896 confirmed cases and 232 fatalities reported across 31 health zones in the DRC. In neighboring Uganda, 19 cases and two deaths have been confirmed, although none of the affected individuals were refugees. However, the potential for the disease to spread among displaced populations remains critically high.
Displacement and Vulnerability Amidst Conflict
More than 2 million people have been forcibly displaced in the DRC, including over 320,000 refugees. These individuals reside in areas that are at risk for Ebola, where ongoing conflict exacerbates the situation. Concerns are mounting regarding population movements into and out of affected areas, which could further facilitate the transmission of the virus. This situation underscores the urgent need to integrate public health measures with protection interventions.
On June 7, UNHCR reported the arrival of approximately 2,250 individuals from Mbau, located 20 kilometers from Beni, one of the outbreak’s epicenters. The movement was prompted by armed group activities that incited panic, forcing these individuals to flee to Oicha, a North Kivu area already grappling with Ebola and hosting over 14,300 displaced persons.
Mistrust and Its Consequences
The outbreak has intensified fear and misinformation among refugees and internally displaced individuals, who are already facing trauma, insecurity, and inadequate humanitarian assistance. This climate of distrust has delayed access to life-saving care. For instance, on June 3, some internally displaced people temporarily blocked access to response teams following two Ebola-related deaths at the Kpangba site in Ituri Province, just 25 kilometers from Bunia. This incident highlights how mistrust can directly obstruct critical interventions.
As the outbreak expands in regions where conflict and disease intersect, collaboration with community leaders becomes essential for building trust, countering misinformation, and aligning public health measures with population movements.
Community Engagement and Preparedness Initiatives
In high-risk areas like Bunia, UNHCR is actively supporting government-led response plans. Recently, the agency facilitated training for over 100 community leaders by health experts on Ebola prevention and key practices. These leaders are now equipped to relay critical messages in local languages and trusted formats. Additional training sessions are planned for more remote locations. In Ituri, refugees trained in health practices have been instrumental in establishing chlorinated handwashing stations in villages that host refugees.
The implications of the outbreak extend beyond the DRC. Eastern DRC is part of a broader interconnected region where trade, family ties, and refugee movements link Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and South Sudan. UNHCR is enhancing preparedness in these countries by collaborating with governments, the World Health Organization, and other partners to strengthen surveillance, screening, infection prevention, communication, and water, sanitation, and hygiene support in refugee-hosting areas and border corridors. The aim is to prevent further cross-border transmission while ensuring that individuals seeking safety are not impeded.
Government Responsibility and Public Health Measures
Governments in the region must continue to lead the response and uphold their responsibility to protect public health. Some neighboring countries have implemented temporary movement restrictions and other precautionary measures at border crossings in response to the outbreak. However, UNHCR argues that border closures are ineffective in preventing the spread of the epidemic, as they may drive individuals toward unofficial crossing points where health screening and surveillance are more challenging. Public health measures should facilitate access to asylum for those in need of international protection, accompanied by appropriate screening, triage, isolation, and referral systems.
UNHCR and its partners are collaborating with local authorities to bolster community-led preventive measures. Efforts are underway to ensure that displaced communities are integrated into national health responses and shielded from blame or discrimination, particularly focusing on women and girls. Given the rapid rise in Ebola cases, the response must scale up accordingly while remaining anchored in national leadership. It is crucial that this response does not come at the expense of other essential services, such as primary healthcare, gender-based violence services, and education.
As part of an inter-agency response, UNHCR is seeking $14 million for its Ebola preparedness and response initiatives from July to November. This funding aims to assist forcibly displaced individuals and their host communities in the DRC and Uganda, while also reinforcing preparedness in Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The funds will enhance health and sanitation systems, support frontline personnel, including community-based protection initiatives, expand isolation and referral capacity, and ensure that displaced individuals are not excluded from the broader public health response.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-06-19 23:34:00 • By the Editorial Desk
