Democratic republic of congo: Using puppets, songs, and musical statues, children as young as four in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are to be taught about Ebola in a new programme aiming to tackle misinformation, Ebola denial, and protect families, Save the Children said. According to Save the Children, the series of play-based learning activities are to be rolled out across the DRC to increase children's awareness of the virus and dispel myths and rumours in a bid to stem the spread of the DRC's third worst Ebola outbreak on record. Fear and misinformation have contributed to attacks on health workers and treatment centres and to declining school attendance in parts of the DRC, said Save the Children, with parents expressing concerns about children contracting the illness in class or on the playground. With end-of-year exams now taking place across the DRC, Save the Children and the Education Cluster have also launched new guidance for schools and teachers on how to prevent the risk of Ebola expos ure, promoting handwashing, screening at entrances to examination centres, and quick treatment for Ebola-like symptoms. Alfred, a 40-year-old schoolteacher in the DRC, remarked that fear has spread among children in his classrooms nearly as rapidly as misinformation in communities about the latest strain of Ebola, Bundibugyo, which has claimed about 232 lives so far among 896 cases, including at least 26 children, according to the Ministry of Health. This situation has left him with nearly empty classrooms, with some children hiding in bushes and end-of-year exams being rushed or rescheduled. Alfred remains committed to raising awareness despite concerns about stigma and discrimination as children from highly affected areas are excluded by classmates. Alfred explained that rumours about the outbreak, officially declared on May 15, spread through battery-less radios where people circulate false information through conversations and social media, resulting in denial of Ebola and distrust in healthcare and sch ools. He said: "[The rumour is that] once a person is infected with this disease, they go to the hospital. From there, only corpses return home. So, this also creates panic among people. That is why people say it is as if they inject water into the bodies of patients, and that is what kills them." One of Alfred's students, 13-year-old Alice, who dreams of becoming a doctor, expressed her fears about the disease. She told Save the Children team in Ituri, the worst-hit area in the eastern DRC, that hearing about many Ebola-related deaths makes her feel very scared and sad, especially as many children are unable to attend school. "Children cannot come to school because of the disease. When I hear what people are saying, they say many have died from Ebola. They tell us to protect ourselves and keep our distance. It makes me very scared, very worried," she said. With training from Save the Children, along with local health and education authorities, teachers including Alfred have integrated Ebola awareness into daily school life, educating students about the nature of the virus and prevention measures. As part of its Ebola response in Ituri, Save the Children has provided 33 schools with complete infection prevention and control kits including thermal scanners, handwashing devices, chlorine, hygiene equipment, among other items. Dr. Babou Rukengeza, Save the Children's Ebola Response Lead in the DRC, highlighted the challenges faced in the community. "Unfortunately, we are seeing significant community resistance to prevention and treatment measures, as case numbers rise. Some families are refusing to allow health workers to disinfect their homes after a case is suspected, and we have also seen unfortunate cases where people with Ebola have chosen to leave isolation facilities," he said. He emphasized the need to help communities understand the importance of prevention and response measures, acknowledging the fear that people experience. Dr. Rukengeza noted that while Ebola is primarily a health crisis, it also sig nificantly impacts education systems, disrupting learning and affecting children's wellbeing. Save the Children is working to change that through these programmes, using schools to help prevent the spread of Ebola and serve as a critical platform for response as well as a safe, inclusive space for children. Save the Children has been active in the DRC since 1994, partnering with 13 local organisations, as well as international agencies and government authorities, to deliver life-saving support in health, nutrition, education, child protection, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene for children and their families.
