By Cecilia Ologunagba
The UN has called on the international community to urgently scale up support for both the Ebola response and the broader humanitarian response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric made the call on Monday in New York while briefing journalists on the update of Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda.
According to Dujarric, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.
He added that it highlighted the high risk of further spread and the likelihood that the outbreak may be larger than currently detected.
“Without immediate action, life-saving assistance will not reach those most in need and critical humanitarian gains risk being reversed.
“The 1.4 billion dollars Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for the DRC is currently 34 per cent funded with 478 million dollars received,” he said.
Dujarric said UN peacekeeping colleagues on the ground reaffirmed their support to the authorities of the DRC, WHO and all partners involved in the response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak.
The UN Mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, is closely following the guidance of the Ministry of Health and WHO and continues to adapt its prevention measures accordingly.
MONUSCO Medical Services have already reinforced screening procedures at the entrance to Mission clinics and the systematic use of personal protective equipment for medical personnel in contact with patients.
The mission also underscored the importance of reliable and verified information and encourages everyone to refer to official communications from competent health authorities.
The Mission remains mobilised, within its mandate and in coordination with the Congolese authorities and relevant partners, to support an effective response aimed at protecting populations and contributing to health security in affected areas.
Dujarric further said the outbreak involved the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific therapeutics.
“The outbreak is centred in the province of Ituri, where more than 482 suspected cases have been reported since April, including eight confirmed cases and around 116 deaths among suspected cases across several health zones.
“Testing of suspected cases is ongoing. A case was also confirmed on Sunday in Goma, in the province of North Kivu, raising concerns about potential spread in a densely populated urban area.
“We, alongside humanitarian partners, are supporting the Government-led Ebola response,” he said.
WHO is supporting national efforts through, among other things, the deployment of technical expertise and rapid response teams.
“More than five tons of WHO medical supplies, along with experts, were airlifted to Ituri by the World Food Programme to reinforce response efforts on Sunday
“Needless to say, additional resources and sustained humanitarian access will be critical to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
“We and our humanitarian partners warn that insecurity, population movements and displacement are significantly complicating surveillance, contact tracing and response efforts, in a context already marked by violence, food insecurity and severe needs.
“Nearly 9 million people across the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu are facing crisis or worse levels of hunger, further straining fragile health systems, while only 30 per cent of required health funding has been mobilised,’’ he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
Edited by Mark Longyen
