UN health chief calls for accelerated global response to Ebola in Congo

The United Nations’ Under‑Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, appealed on Tuesday for a swifter and more coordinated international effort to contain the Ebola outbreak that has resurfaced in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Griffiths warned that the virus, which has already infected dozens of people in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, could spread further if resources are not mobilised promptly. He urged donor nations, NGOs, and regional bodies to increase funding, supply medical kits, and support vaccination campaigns targeting high‑risk communities.

The outbreak, first identified in early June, has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern. Local health authorities have reported challenges in reaching remote villages due to ongoing insecurity, limited infrastructure, and a shortage of trained personnel. The UN office emphasized that delays in vaccine delivery and gaps in surveillance could hinder containment efforts.

The eastern DRC has been plagued by armed conflict for more than two decades, involving government forces, rebel groups, and foreign militias. Violence has displaced millions, disrupted health services, and created conditions conducive to disease outbreaks. Frequent clashes have also hampered humanitarian access, complicating responses to crises such as Ebola, cholera, and COVID‑19.

Griffiths concluded that without immediate and expanded assistance, the Ebola virus could cross borders, threatening neighboring countries and undermining regional stability. He called on the international community to act now to prevent a wider epidemic.