Red Cross Condemns Attack on Ebola Volunteers in DRC
The Red Cross has strongly condemned an attack on its volunteers earlier this week in Bunia, the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The incident happened during a “safe and dignified burial,” leaving several people injured.
In a statement, the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), the DRC Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies described the attack as unacceptable. “We condemn this act and express our solidarity and support for the affected volunteers and their families,” the statement said. The organisations warned that attacks against volunteers not only endanger lives but also undermine efforts to contain the outbreak and protect communities.
The government in Kinshasa declared an outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola on May 15. According to the World Health Organisation, there have been 381 cases, including 64 deaths, in the DRC alone. Ebola is currently present in three provinces in northeastern Congo, as well as in neighbouring Uganda, where 19 cases have been recorded, including two deaths.
Recent weeks have seen growing tension in affected communities. Empty medical tents have been set on fire, and locals have forced their way into hospitals to demand the return of Ebola victims’ bodies. Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, has become a flashpoint for clashes between health workers and residents.
Previous outbreaks have also been marked by mistrust between communities and medical staff. Health experts say this mistrust makes it harder to enforce safe burial practices and slows down efforts to contain the virus.
The WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced a joint $518 million plan to tackle the outbreak. The initiative aims to strengthen surveillance, improve treatment facilities, and support community engagement across affected areas.
Observers believe the success of the $518 million Ebola response plan will depend heavily on rebuilding trust between health workers and local communities. They explain that without cooperation, safe burial practices, treatment, and surveillance measures cannot be fully implemented. Restoring confidence is seen as essential to ensuring that medical teams can operate safely and deliver the support needed to contain the outbreak.
