RismadarVoice Reporters, May 22, 2026
United Nations agencies have intensified efforts to contain the latest outbreak of Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, deploying emergency medical supplies, logistics support, and humanitarian assistance to affected areas.
The UN Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in New York on the Ebola situation in the DRC and neighbouring Uganda.
According to him, humanitarian and peacekeeping teams are supporting the Congolese government in tackling the rapidly spreading outbreak amid worsening humanitarian conditions.
“The province of Ituri remains the epicentre of the outbreak with the most affected areas in the towns of Rwampara, Mongbwalu and Bunia,” Dujarric said.
He noted that although the towns may not be widely known internationally, they are densely populated, raising concerns over the spread of the disease.
Dujarric explained that the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is providing critical logistical support to reinforce response operations in Bunia.
According to him, the mission has deployed four light passenger vehicles, positioned a helicopter for emergency flights to affected communities in Ituri, and dispatched two ambulances and two armoured vehicles from Goma to Bunia to support medical evacuations and outreach in insecure areas.
The equipment, he said, would be made available to the World Health Organisation and other humanitarian partners.
The UN spokesperson also expressed concern over the spread of Ebola to North Kivu province, where confirmed cases have now been recorded in Goma, Butembo and Katwa.
“These are urban areas with a history of Ebola transmission,” he warned.
He added that response partners were strengthening disease surveillance, introducing screening measures at entry points and adapting operations, including remote coordination where necessary.
To improve rapid response and contact tracing efforts, MONUSCO has also supplied motorcycles from Goma and Beni, while additional units are being prepared in Bunia for transfer to WHO teams.
Dujarric further revealed that local authorities had confirmed a new Ebola case in South Kivu province, specifically in the town of Bukavu. The case reportedly involved a person who arrived from Tshopo province, which borders Ituri.
He stressed that the outbreak was unfolding in an environment already affected by insecurity, population displacement, high mobility and restricted humanitarian access.
The UN official said agencies including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, WHO, World Food Programme and United Nations Children’s Fund would continue working to support affected populations.
WFP is currently facilitating the transportation of aid workers, medical supplies and other critical cargo to hard-to-reach communities. The agency is also providing food and nutritional support to Ebola patients, survivors, contacts and affected households.
According to the UN, WFP requires more than 214 million dollars to sustain operations in the DRC, including over 10 million dollars specifically for Ebola response activities.
UNICEF, meanwhile, raised concerns over the impact of the outbreak on children, warning that they remain especially vulnerable to disruptions in essential services, loss of caregivers, stigma and psychosocial trauma.
The agency said it had already mobilised nearly 50 tonnes of emergency supplies, including disinfectants, soaps, personal protective equipment, water purification tablets and water tanks.
An Emergency Rapid Response Team has also been deployed to Bunia to strengthen risk communication and community engagement efforts.
Although more than 2,000 community health workers are currently involved in response activities, the UN said additional resources and personnel are urgently needed, particularly in remote areas.
The DRC has recorded 17 Ebola outbreaks since the virus was first identified nearly 50 years ago.
Health authorities said the current outbreak was caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, for which no approved vaccines or treatments currently exist.
So far, the outbreak has resulted in 139 deaths and about 600 suspected cases in the DRC, while Uganda has confirmed two cases.
WHO has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, urging countries to strengthen cooperation and coordination in response efforts, although it has not classified the situation as a pandemic emergency.
