UN raises alarm over Ebola spread in displacement camps in eastern DRC

Tuesday 21 July 2026 - 11:16

By: Azzat Manal

UN raises alarm over Ebola spread in displacement camps in eastern DRC

The United Nations has expressed growing concern over the spread of Ebola in displacement camps in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where crowded living conditions and limited access to essential services are complicating efforts to contain the outbreak.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that confirmed Ebola cases have been identified in several camps for displaced people in Ituri province, one of the main areas affected by the current outbreak.

According to the UN agency, overcrowding, high population density and inadequate access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation are creating conditions that could facilitate further transmission of the virus.

More than 270,000 displaced people are reportedly living in at least 16 camps affected by the outbreak in Ituri. Many of these communities have been forced from their homes by armed conflict and are already facing difficult humanitarian conditions.

The lack of adequate health facilities, combined with limited water supplies and overcrowded shelters, presents additional challenges for health workers and humanitarian organizations seeking to identify cases and prevent further infections.

In response, the UN and its partners have increased prevention measures in the affected areas. These efforts include installing handwashing stations and expanding public awareness campaigns to provide communities with information about infection prevention and the importance of seeking medical assistance when symptoms appear.

The humanitarian situation remains particularly serious given the scale of the outbreak. Data cited from the World Health Organization indicate that thousands of cases have been recorded in the country, with hundreds of deaths and recoveries reported. Suspected cases also remain under observation as health authorities continue surveillance activities.

The outbreak has affected several provinces in the DRC, while infections have also been reported in neighboring Uganda, highlighting the potential for the health emergency to cross national borders.

The current outbreak is among the most significant Ebola epidemics recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The response is taking place against the backdrop of prolonged armed conflict, insecurity and repeated population displacement in the country's eastern regions, all of which make disease control more difficult.

Health authorities and humanitarian agencies are facing additional challenges in reaching vulnerable communities and maintaining essential medical and humanitarian services. The UN has therefore called for stronger international support to ensure that prevention, surveillance and healthcare operations can continue.

Humanitarian organizations warn that without additional resources, the combination of displacement, overcrowding and fragile infrastructure could increase the pressure on local health systems and complicate efforts to contain the disease.

As the response continues, strengthening disease surveillance, improving access to healthcare and sanitation, and ensuring effective communication with affected communities remain key priorities for preventing a wider humanitarian and public health crisis in eastern DRC.