UNHCR Warns Ebola Outbreak Accelerates Risks for Displaced Communities in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised alarms regarding the rapid spread of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This outbreak poses significant risks to displaced communities in the region, where over 2 million people are already facing instability and insecurity.
As of June 17, the DRC reported 896 confirmed cases and 232 deaths across 31 health zones. Uganda has reported 19 cases and two deaths, none of which involved refugees. However, the potential for the disease to spread among displaced populations remains a pressing concern.
Context of Displacement and Disease
The DRC is home to more than 2 million forcibly displaced individuals, including over 320,000 refugees. Many of these individuals reside in areas vulnerable to both conflict and the Ebola outbreak. The ongoing violence in the region complicates the humanitarian response, as fears of population movements into and out of affected areas could exacerbate the transmission of the virus.
On June 7, UNHCR tracked the arrival of approximately 2,250 individuals from Mbau, located 20 kilometers from Beni, one of the outbreak’s epicenters. The movement was prompted by armed group activities that instilled panic, forcing people to flee to Oicha, a North Kivu area already grappling with Ebola and hosting over 14,300 displaced individuals.
Trust Erosion and Misinformation
For refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) already burdened by trauma and a lack of adequate humanitarian assistance, the outbreak has intensified fear and misinformation. This climate of distrust has led to significant barriers in accessing life-saving care. For instance, on June 3, some IDPs temporarily obstructed access to response teams following two Ebola-related deaths at the Kpangba site in Ituri Province, just 25 kilometers from Bunia. Such incidents highlight how mistrust can directly impede critical health interventions.
As the outbreak continues to evolve in regions where conflict and disease intersect, collaboration with community leaders becomes essential for building trust and countering misinformation.
Community Engagement and Health Measures
In high-risk areas like Bunia, UNHCR is actively supporting government-led response initiatives. Recently, the agency facilitated training for over 100 community leaders by health experts on Ebola prevention and essential practices. This training aims to empower leaders to communicate health messages in local languages and formats that resonate with their communities. Additional training sessions are planned for more remote locations.
In Ituri, along the South Sudan border, trained refugees have been instrumental in installing chlorinated handwashing stations in villages hosting refugees. These community-led initiatives are critical for enhancing public health measures in the face of the outbreak.
Regional Implications and Preparedness
The Ebola outbreak poses a regional risk, particularly in eastern DRC, which is interconnected with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and South Sudan through trade, family ties, and refugee movements. UNHCR is reinforcing preparedness across these countries, collaborating with governments, the World Health Organization, and other partners to enhance surveillance, screening, infection prevention, and communication efforts in refugee-hosting areas and border corridors. The objective is to prevent further cross-border transmission while ensuring that individuals seeking safety are not impeded.
Governments in the region bear the responsibility of leading the response and protecting public health. Some neighboring countries have implemented temporary movement restrictions and other precautionary measures at border crossings in reaction to the outbreak. However, UNHCR argues that border closures are ineffective in curbing the epidemic’s spread, as they may drive people toward unofficial crossing points where health screening is less feasible. Public health measures should ensure access to asylum for those in need of international protection, incorporating appropriate screening, triage, isolation, and referral systems.
Inclusion and Comprehensive Response
UNHCR and its partners are working with local authorities to bolster community-led preventive measures. Efforts are underway to ensure that displaced communities are integrated into national health responses and shielded from stigma or discrimination, particularly women and girls. Given the rapid escalation of cases, the response must scale up accordingly while remaining anchored in national leadership. It is crucial that this response does not compromise other essential services, such as primary healthcare, gender-based violence services, and education.
As part of a coordinated inter-agency response, UNHCR is seeking $14 million for its Ebola preparedness and response efforts from July to November. This funding aims to assist forcibly displaced individuals and their host communities in the DRC and Uganda, while also reinforcing preparedness in Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The funds will enhance health and sanitation systems, support frontline personnel, expand isolation and referral capacities, and ensure that displaced populations are included in the broader public health response.
Source: www.zawya.com
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