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Ebola outbreak threatens to devastate Democratic Republic of Congo’s most vulnerable communities living in conflict, says ActionAid

May 19, 2026

The Ebola outbreak in the conflict-affected Ituri province of the DRC poses a severe threat to public health and community stability, ActionAid has warnedThe charityhas called for an urgent, coordinated response to protect vulnerable populations who have been dealing with a prolonged armed conflict.

Saani Yakubu, the Country Director of ActionAid DRC, said:

“This outbreak threatens to exacerbate years of armed conflict that have already left women and children highly vulnerable to violence, displacement, and school dropouts.

I am urging strong, coordinated action to halt the spread of the disease while safeguarding basic rights, education, and essential services. ActionAid is currently undertaking a needs assessment in Ituri province, where we have been implementing programs for many years.”

ENDS

Spokesperson details:

Dr Saani Yakubu – The Country Director of ActionAid DRC. He is in Kinshasa. For media requests, please email christal.james@actionaid.org or call 7046659743. 

About ActionAid    

ActionAid is a global federation working with more than 41 million people living in more than 71 of the world’s poorest countries. We want to see a just, fair, and sustainable world, in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty.   n which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty.   


Help stop the spread of Ebola in the DRC

An Ebola outbreak is devastating communities in eastern DRC already living through conflict and displacement, and the gaps are critical. ActionAid teams are on the ground in Ituri Province right now, delivering PPE, community awareness, cash support, and protection services for women and girls. Our deep roots in these communities mean aid reaches people fast, but we need your support to keep going.