Ebola treatment center rises from nothing in Congolese Beni: ‘There is much suspicion and misinformation, just like during Covid’

An Ebola treatment center is being rapidly erected on a muddy football field in Beni, a city in eastern Congo. Marcella Kraaij, a project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), described the speed of construction as "unbelievable." She is working long hours with her 35-person team, who are staying in Beni for two months. Kraaij arrived a week prior to prepare the city for a potential rise in Ebola cases due to the advancing Bundibugyo virus. Like doctors in other treatment centers, her team adheres to strict protocols, including wearing protective suits and maintaining hygiene. Despite the challenging living conditions, including a room that floods during heavy rain and basic bathing facilities, Kraaij remains focused on her mission. Her work involves not only overseeing the construction and ensuring team safety but also engaging with local residents. She conducts tours for officials from the provincial Ministry of Health, community leaders, and local action groups to explain that Ebola is treatable and to build trust. Kraaij is actively working to dispel misinformation, such as the false claim that Ebola only affects civilians and not soldiers, or that the virus was introduced by international aid workers. She understands the suspicion, drawing parallels to the public's reaction to COVID-19 lockdowns in the Netherlands, stating, "People are just very scared."

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It is unbelievable how fast it is going.