Ebola Response in DR Congo Needs Urgent Community Leadership, Analyst Says

Papy Kasereka, a specialist in crises and conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is urging for the immediate involvement of community leaders to effectively combat the latest Ebola outbreak. He stresses that the success of the response hinges on local populations' trust, rather than solely on military security measures.

Kasereka expressed concern that an over-reliance on military intervention could replicate the mistrust observed during previous Ebola waves in Ituri and North Kivu. The current resurgence, marked by the Bundibugyo strain, occurs amidst an already volatile security situation. He cautioned that health teams would make a "fatal error" by approaching the crisis solely through force, neglecting the critical need for popular support and adherence.

Recalling past instances where treatment centers were rejected, Kasereka attributed this directly to a breakdown in dialogue between humanitarian workers and local communities. To counter this, he strongly advocates for the swift and direct integration of community leaders and civil society structures into the management of funds and the implementation of sensitization efforts.

According to Kasereka, this inclusive approach is the most effective strategy for breaking the chains of transmission. This is particularly crucial in remote areas or regions controlled by armed groups, where the regular army cannot guarantee the safety of healthcare workers. His analysis emphasizes that building confidence and fostering collaboration with local stakeholders is paramount to overcoming the epidemic.

“

the fatal error of health teams would be to approach the field solely from the angle of force against armed militias, forgetting the imperative of popular adhesion