Between war and pandemic, the World Health Organization calls on Congo for an urgent humanitarian truce.

Written by: Mohammed Omran

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a worsening humanitarian and health crisis, with a rapid spread of the virus. Ebola In a region already suffering from armed conflict, widespread displacement, and a collapse of basic services, the World Health Organization has warned of a catastrophic clash between disease and war, and called for an urgent ceasefire to enable relief teams to contain the epidemic and save lives before it gets out of control.

Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

 The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for a ceasefire, saying: “A ceasefire, even if temporary, would save lives. I appeal to you, I implore you, give us the space to help people who desperately need it.”.

The World Health Organization had previously warned that eastern Democratic Republic of Congo was facing a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict” as a rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak outpaced containment efforts in a region already suffering from armed violence, mass displacement and acute hunger.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the Ebola outbreak in Bundibugyo, Ituri province, is spreading in an environment characterized by insecurity, attacks on health facilities, and population movement, making it “almost impossible” to trace contacts and isolate cases.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported nearly 1,000 suspected cases of Ebola and more than 220 suspected deaths.

In neighboring Uganda, health authorities reported seven confirmed cases linked to the outbreak, including two among healthcare workers and one confirmed death. The World Health Organization said the outbreak continues to spread geographically, with evidence of cross-border transmission.