Democratic republic of the congo: The United Nations (UN) has bolstered its support for the escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported over 5,200 confirmed cases and nearly 2,500 fatalities as of August 18.
According to African Press Organization, the UN, in collaboration with the Government and partners, is amplifying its response efforts. Julien Harneis, the Senior Ebola Coordinator, outlined five key operational priorities: increasing safe care capacity threefold, enhancing community engagement, doubling the number of safe and dignified burial teams, expanding disease surveillance, and bolstering support for the most vulnerable populations.
In alignment with these efforts, the Congo River Without Ebola initiative was launched today by the Government, with support from the UN and its partners. The initiative targets enhancing disease surveillance and preparedness along the 1,700-kilometre Congo River, a vital artery connecting communities, markets, and provinces.
With financial backing from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, organizations such as the International Organization for Migration, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the World Food Programme are joining forces with national authorities. Their collective aim is to improve disease surveillance at crucial ports and transit points, refine early warning and referral systems, and bolster preparedness among riverine communities and boat travelers.
Today, WHO announced the allocation of 70,000 doses of the Ebola Zaire vaccine to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These doses are designated for frontline health workers and a clinical trial assessing the vaccine's effectiveness against the Bundibugyo virus.