Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with a dual emergency as health authorities report continuing clusters of Ebola cases in Ituri Province, where nearly one million people have been displaced by years of insecurity, according to United Nations estimates.
In overcrowded displacement camps like the Kigonza site north of the provincial capital, Bunia, access to basic health care has become a luxury, and humanitarian agencies are racing to contain the outbreak amid dire conditions.
“With Ebola and the insecurity, our situation is really difficult,” said one displaced resident. “We are spending a lot of money. Our expenses have multiplied. Our situation has become difficult. We no longer have enough to eat and our children have become strict children. They have nowhere to live. Where we live, things are so complicated. Our houses are in terrible state. Our situation is very difficult.”
At the Kigonza site, internally displaced persons decried the lack of preventive measures, noting there are no handwashing kits and no apparent efforts to raise awareness on preventing the spread of Ebola.
“We are asking for handwashing kits. And above all, the most important thing here, what we are asking for is toilet maintenance,” another displaced individual said. “The toilets are already overflowing. There are rats running around in the toilets and getting into the pots. First and foremost, we’re asking for help to empty our toilets. We are emptying them with our hands. This is essential to prevent this disease.”
Others said they simply wish to return home due to the deteriorating conditions. Enforcing social distancing has proven nearly impossible in the cramped camp environment.
Outside the camp, Bunia remains among the main affected areas. While temperature screening is present at the airport, health workers on the front lines report significant challenges.
“We have isolated cases of resistance,” one health worker said. “Nevertheless, most travelers understand and let us take the temperatures. We’re asking the Congolese government to provide us with protective equipment. At the moment, we have nothing. We’re making do with what we have. Sometimes we use a face mask for as long as two days.”
Health authorities continue to monitor the outbreak as local teams do their best to rein in the crisis before it spirals out of control.
