With the Ebola outbreak in DRC declared a global emergency, we are taking immediate action

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been declared a public health emergency of international concern, by the World Health Organization.  We are adopting a safety first approach – we protect both our staff and people we work with.

We are delivering vital training and protective equipment to both our staff and health workers we co-operate with, and raising awareness directly in the communities on how to stay safe. We closely coordinate with other organisations active in South and North Kivu and discuss our possible next steps.

This health emergency comes on top of an already severe, prolonged humanitarian crisis. We have been responding in this region since 2008, and we are not stopping now. 

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a serious viral disease caused by viruses of the Ebolavirus genus. It is a viral hemorrhagic fever that is transmitted mainly through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. The incubation period usually ranges from 2 to 21 days.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms include:

• high fever
• severe fatigue
• muscle, headache, and throat pain
• later vomiting and diarrhea
• in some cases internal or external bleeding

Ebola can cause failure of internal organs such as the kidneys and liver, as well as shock, which is often fatal.

What is the mortality rate?

The mortality rate varies depending on the specific strain of the virus and the availability of treatment. 

During past outbreaks, it ranged from approximately 25% to 90%, averaging around 50%. 

Vaccines against Ebola do exist, but their wider distribution is limited by financial, logistical, and political challenges.

Thanks to improved medical care, rapid isolation of patients, and new vaccines and treatments, mortality rates in some outbreaks have been significantly reduced.

Ebola has now erupted in a region that has already been struggling with a severe and prolonged humanitarian crisis for decades. We have been helping in DRC since 2008, and we will continue to do so.

We have been helping in DR Congo for years

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, we support people affected by long-term conflict, poverty, and malnutrition, especially in remote areas of South Kivu province.

We focus on both the treatment and prevention of malnutrition among children and pregnant or breastfeeding women by providing therapeutic nutrition and healthcare. 

Our assistance also includes awareness campaigns on healthy nutrition, cooking demonstrations using locally available ingredients, and training for healthcare workers.

In addition, we support access to clean drinking water, hygiene, and basic healthcare, while providing food and financial assistance to the most vulnerable families.

We focus on hygiene and awareness

We repair and build water sources, latrines, and hygiene facilities in healthcare centres, while also supporting agriculture through the distribution of seedlings, tools, and farmer training.

Our team also works in hard-to-reach areas without roads, where travel is often only possible by motorcycle, on foot, or by humanitarian helicopters.

This article will be updated as the situation unfolds. 

Our work in DRC

Date: May 20, 2026   Place: DRC    Author: PIN   

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