Civil Society in Beni Trained to Combat Ebola Rumors and Stigma

Civil society actors, community leaders, religious officials, and traditional healers in the Beni territory of North Kivu have undergone training focused on responding to the Ebola virus disease. The workshop, held on Wednesday, was organized by the national NGO Sauver les Communautés en Conflits (Saving Communities in Conflict) in collaboration with UNICEF.

The training aimed to bolster the participants' capacity to play a crucial role in public awareness campaigns. Key objectives included combating the spread of rumors and fighting the stigma associated with Ebola, as well as improving the connection between local communities and the medical response teams working on the ground.

John Banyene, the provincial president of civil society in North Kivu, lauded the initiative and underscored the responsibilities of community leaders. He emphasized their duty to fight disinformation, combat stigmatization, and act as a vital link between communities and the Ebola response efforts. "What we expect from all these facilitators is that they must go and tell the truth and nothing but the truth to the communities, and especially sensitize the youth who want to become obstacles to the response teams," Banyene stated.

This training initiative is part of a broader strategy to deepen the involvement of local communities in the ongoing efforts to control Ebola. By empowering these local figures, the aim is to foster greater trust and enhance the effectiveness of medical interventions in the region.

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What we expect from all these facilitators is that they must go and tell the truth and nothing but the truth to the communities, and especially sensitize the youth who want to become obstacles to the response teams.