VillageReach and Partners Bolster Ebola Response in Ituri with Protective Gear and Medicines | Radio Okapi (CD) News

VillageReach, with support from UNICEF, has provided a crucial first batch of protective gear and medications to frontline teams battling the Ebola epidemic in Bunia, Ituri. The delivery, which took place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, includes vital supplies such as gloves, masks, and goggles. This initial shipment is part of a larger effort to distribute over 263,000 protective items to health workers and community relays engaged in daily interventions.

Dr. Trésor Amiri of VillageReach emphasized the initiative's core objective: to bolster the security of deployed teams. "Through this donation, we want to strengthen the safety of the teams deployed in the field, support the care of affected individuals, and preserve the continuity of health services," he stated. Beyond immediate protection, VillageReach plans to facilitate the transport of samples to laboratories, speeding up case confirmation, and train nearly a thousand community relays across eight health zones to enhance epidemiological surveillance.

Dr. Mukoko Muaku, a member of the national response team, welcomed the support, noting its potential to better protect healthcare providers who are often the first to confront the virus. He believes the assistance will improve patient care and the overall effectiveness of field operations. This collaborative effort underscores the ongoing commitment to controlling the Ebola outbreak in the Ituri region.