Kinshasa: The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed deep concerns over the rapid spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), highlighting the potential risks to displaced communities across the region. According to African Press Organization, as of 17 June, there have been 896 confirmed cases of Ebola and 232 deaths across 31 health zones in the DRC, while Uganda has reported 19 cases and two deaths. Although none of the cases in Uganda involve refugees, the risk of the disease spreading among displaced populations remains significant. The DRC is home to more than 2 million forcibly displaced individuals, including over 320,000 refugees, residing in areas vulnerable to Ebola. The ongoing conflict in these regions, coupled with the spread of the disease, has raised fears about population movements and their potential to exacerbate transmission rates. This underscores the necessity for integrating public health measures with protection interventions. On 7 June, UNHCR observed the arrival of approximately 2,250 people from Mbau, near Beni, an outbreak epicenter, to Oicha, North Kivu, due to armed group activities. Oicha, already an Ebola-affected zone, hosts over 14,300 displaced individuals. The ongoing outbreak is aggravating fear and misinformation among refugees and internally displaced persons, undermining trust in response teams and delaying access to essential care. This mistrust was evident on 3 June when internally displaced persons blocked access to response teams following Ebola-related deaths at the Kpangba site in Ituri Province. To address these challenges, UNHCR is collaborating with community leaders to build trust, counter misinformation, and align public health measures with population movements. In Bunia and other high-risk areas, UNHCR supports government-led response plans, including training over 100 community leaders on Ebola prevention. Similar efforts are underway in more remote sites, with trained refugees installing chlorinated handwashing stations in refugee-hosting villages. The regional risk remains high as eastern DRC connects with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and South Sudan through trade and family ties. UNHCR is enhancing preparedness in these countries, working alongside governments, the World Health Organization, and partners to improve surveillance, screening, infection prevention, and communication in refugee-hosting areas. The goal is to prevent cross-border transmission without hindering asylum access. While some neighboring countries have implemented temporary border measures, UNHCR advocates against border closures, which may encourage unofficial crossings lacking health screening. Public health interventions should maintain asylum access with appropriate screening and isolation systems. UNHCR is also working with local authorities to fortify community-led preventive measures, ensuring that displaced communities are included in national health responses and shielded from discrimination. Special attention is g iven to the needs of women and girls. The response must scale up to match the rapid increase in cases but not at the cost of essential services like primary healthcare and education. As part of an inter-agency effort, UNHCR seeks $14 million for Ebola preparedness and response from July to November. These funds will bolster health and sanitation systems, support front-line personnel, enhance isolation and referral capabilities, and ensure displaced individuals are integrated into the broader health response.
