The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a severe Ebola outbreak, with local health facilities stretched beyond capacity and critical supplies running dangerously low, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned on September 22.
The outbreak, declared in early September in Bulape, marks Congo’s first Ebola cases in three years. The IFRC is urgently seeking 20 million Swiss francs (around $25 million) to help contain the virus and provide essential resources such as clean water, protective equipment, and medical support.
“Health facilities are overwhelmed, essential supplies are unavailable, and the area is without power,” said Ariel Kestens, IFRC Head of Delegation in Kinshasa.
Ebola, which naturally resides in Congo’s dense tropical forests, causes fever, body aches, and diarrhoea. The virus can also persist in survivors and reappear years later, making containment critical.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 48 confirmed and probable cases have been reported so far, with 31 deaths. The main isolation centre in Bulape is already over capacity, and the only treatment facility is operating at 119% capacity.
Without immediate support, the IFRC warned that the virus could spread rapidly in communities that are already fragile. Protecting health workers means protecting communities. The DRC urgently needs support, especially in remote areas it’s about preventing another regional health crisis, said Gregoire Mateso, President of the DRC Red Cross.
The WHO has started vaccinating frontline health workers and close contacts of infected individuals in Kasai Province, but resources remain critically limited.
