WHO Calls for Congo Ceasefire to Control Rising Ebola Cases

GENEVA — The World Health Organization’s chief made an urgent ⁤appeal ‍on Wednesday for a ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The aim ‌is to manage an escalating‍ Ebola outbreak, as the ongoing conflict is causing mass displacement⁢ and spreading​ the disease in densely populated camps.

The ​Bundibugyo⁢ strain of‍ Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine⁢ or treatment, was declared a global emergency by the ‍World Health Organization ​earlier this month. The number of cases is increasing at an‌ alarming rate.

“The eastern⁤ region of DRC is now ⁣witnessing a disastrous combination of⁣ disease and ​conflict, with the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province outstripping the response,” stated WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is scheduled to visit the region this week.

“Building community trust or isolating the sick is impossible while​ bombs‌ are dropping. We implore ‌all⁢ conflicting parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire to manage this outbreak,” he declared on ​X.

So far,‍ over 900 suspected cases and ⁤over 200 suspected⁢ deaths have been reported in⁣ three provinces in eastern Congo.​ These include the ⁤North Kivu province, held by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, and South‌ Kivu​ province, controlled by the rebel group, the Alliance Fleuve Congo.

The aid organization, Save the Children, reported on Wednesday that a quarter of the ⁤confirmed deaths were children. They called for an escalation in infection prevention measures.

Despite‌ mediation efforts ⁤led by the United States and others, fighting continues in eastern Congo,‍ displacing millions of people. The U.N. refugee agency ‌reported that transit​ and reception sites in Uganda’s West Nile region, which borders⁣ Congo, are‍ operating at ⁢more than double their capacity, according to a document.

Aid organizations are‌ urgently sending staff and ⁣resources to eastern Congo. However, attacks on medical personnel due to community distrust​ have hindered their efforts. Donors have⁤ so far pledged approximately ⁤$500‍ million⁢ to assist with the outbreak, but not‍ all funds have been‍ disbursed, according to ⁤health officials.