Congo, Democratic Republic of the — humanitarian situation

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing the largest and fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded in the country, caused by the Bundibugyo virus. As of 10 August, the outbreak has produced 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths, having expanded from its initial epicenter in Mongbwalu health zone, Ituri Province, to 54 health zones across six provinces WHO, IOM. The epidemic has entered a phase of intense transmission characterized by sustained spread within interconnected geographic clusters, with confirmed cases now reported in Haut-Uélé Province near the South Sudan border (WHO, Mercy Corps). The outbreak is unfolding against the backdrop of an ongoing triple crisis in eastern DRC involving armed conflict, large-scale displacement, and pre-existing health emergencies IOM. Humanitarian response efforts face significant operational constraints and competing priorities. Some assistance activities were suspended for several weeks due to the Ebola outbreak, though distributions have since resumed with adapted protocols, reaching more than 80,000 people in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces between mid-July and late July ICRC. Approximately 1,500 DRC Red Cross volunteers have conducted 1,400 safe and dignified burials and reached over 240,000 people with risk communication messaging, though they face local resistance and trust-building challenges IFRC. Telecommunications support is being scaled up in Bunia, Mongbwalu, and Kisangani to enable coordination, connectivity, and security communications for the Ebola response (ETC, Logistics Cluster, WFP). The Ebola response is mobilizing significant resources, but substantial health emergencies continue simultaneously. Cholera, measles, and malaria outbreaks linked to ongoing conflict threaten thousands of people in North and South Kivu, with concerns that the focus on Ebola may divert attention and funding from these crises MSF. The outbreak poses credible cross-border transmission risk to South Sudan, classified as high-risk for importation due to extensive cross-border movement and weak surveillance capacity (Mercy Corps). Access constraints persist due to insecurity affecting aid delivery throughout the eastern provinces, complicating efforts to contain the outbreak and maintain essential health services.