Save the Children: 180 Children Orphaned by DRC Ebola Outbreak, Nearly Two Daily

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has orphaned at least 180 children, with nearly two minors losing both parents or legal guardians daily since the epidemic was declared on May 15. Save the Children highlighted these figures, noting that 90 of the orphaned children are boys and 90 are girls, according to data from the Provincial Division of Social Affairs in Ituri province, the outbreak's epicenter. Most of these children are now under the care of relatives or state-run childcare centers while long-term family solutions are sought. The organization warned that thousands more have lost one parent or guardian, increasing their risk of abuse, exploitation, human trafficking, and severe psychological harm. Emmanuel Kalinde, Save the Children's Child Protection Manager in Ituri, stated, "Behind every statistic is a child whose world has been turned upside down." He emphasized that the grief can leave children "extremely vulnerable," particularly in communities already affected by violence in eastern Congo. An additional 114 children are currently separated from their parents, who are undergoing Ebola treatment, and are receiving support from humanitarian organizations and family members. Save the Children estimates that at least 800 children have contracted Ebola, with over 357 deaths, representing more than 32% of confirmed fatalities for which age-disaggregated data is available. The organization believes the actual figures are likely higher. Greg Ramm, Country Director for Save the Children in the DRC, stated, "Ebola is stealing more than lives. It is stealing the people children turn to when they are scared." He called for increased support for health services, alternative care, mental health, and child protection programs. The Congolese government reported 2,516 deaths and 5,290 confirmed cases as of Friday, making this outbreak the second deadliest and the one with the most infections in the DRC's history. Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people or animals and causes severe hemorrhagic fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding.

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Behind every statistic is a child whose world has been turned upside down.