DRC Ebola Outbreak Spreads Exponentially, Covering Area Larger Than France Amid Funding Crisis

The Ebola epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is escalating "exponentially," now encompassing a territory larger than France. The outbreak has claimed roughly 2,500 lives in the past three months, with a stark acceleration in fatalities, as half of those deaths occurred in just the last twenty days. This dire situation is compounded by a critical liquidity crisis that prevents timely payment to frontline health and community workers, fueling frustration.

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In the last three months, 2,500 people have died, half of them solely in the last twenty days.

Julien Harneis, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Ebola, highlighted the immense challenges on the ground. He noted that 160 health workers have contracted the virus while treating patients, resulting in 63 deaths. The fight against Ebola is further complicated by regular attacks on facilities and personnel, ongoing armed conflict, and severe logistical hurdles, including the poor state of roads. Harneis recounted a recent journey where it took over three hours to cover just 60 kilometers to reach an Ebola-affected area.

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160 health workers contracted the virus while attending to patients, and 63 of them died after being infected.

Attacks against those involved in the Ebola response have surged, with half of all incidents in July targeting Ebola workers. Compounding these difficulties, the banking system in the affected zone is nearly defunct. This cash flow problem stems from an early government order to halt commercial flights between the capital and Bunia, which previously transported cash to local banks. Mobile transactions are not a viable alternative due to poor connectivity.

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The week I was trying to get to a place very affected by Ebola, it took me more than three hours to travel 60 kilometers.

Harneis expressed cautious optimism, stating that increased investment, personnel, and resources in remote eastern areas could significantly slow and eventually halt the virus's transmission. However, he warned that inaction could lead to a worsening situation. The government has taken over salary payments for most health workers, but community health workers, crucial to the response, are still paid by NGOs and aid organizations, adding another layer of complexity to the payment system.

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We cannot bring the money to pay them, which is causing a lot of frustration among them.