The World Health Organization has urged warring parties in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to agree to an immediate ceasefire as an Ebola outbreak spreads rapidly in conflict-hit regions.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for an urgent ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, warning that ongoing fighting is severely undermining efforts to contain an escalating Ebola outbreak.
He said the region is facing a “catastrophic collision of disease and conflict”, with outbreaks in Ituri province spreading faster than the public health response can contain them.
Dr Tedros, who is due to visit the region this week, said: “We cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling.”
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment. The World Health Organization has declared it an emergency of international concern due to its rapid spread.
More than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths have been reported across eastern Congo, including North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, areas partially controlled by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels.
Aid agencies say the scale of the outbreak is being worsened by mass displacement caused by continued fighting.
Humanitarian organisation Save the Children said a quarter of confirmed deaths are children, warning that urgent improvements in infection prevention are needed.
Aid groups also report that overcrowded displacement camps, particularly in neighbouring Uganda’s West Nile region, are operating at more than double capacity, increasing the risk of further transmission.
Health workers on the ground say they are facing severe shortages of basic medical supplies, including protective equipment, soap, chlorine, and body bags.
A doctor in Butembo, North Kivu, said facilities are struggling to cope with fatalities.
“If there are more deaths I don’t know how we will manage,” the doctor said, speaking anonymously.
The doctor added that in some cases staff have had to purchase essential supplies themselves due to shortages and funding gaps.
Humanitarian organisations say attacks on medical workers and deep mistrust in affected communities are slowing containment efforts.
While international donors have pledged around $500 million to respond to the outbreak, health officials say not all of the funds have yet been disbursed.
Aid agencies are continuing to deploy staff and equipment to affected areas, but insecurity remains a major obstacle.
Despite ongoing mediation efforts led by the United States and other international actors, fighting in eastern Congo continues, leaving millions displaced.
The WHO has reiterated that without a cessation of hostilities, efforts to control the outbreak risk being overwhelmed.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to en...
Iran has warned it will retaliate against any future U.S. attacks, saying American energy interests and infrastructure across the Gulf could become...
Baku Climate Action Week (BCAW) 2026 has begun in Azerbaijan’s capital, bringing together government representatives, business leaders, inves...
An eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel, school activities and fishing operations, with hundreds of passengers stranded at Jakarta’s main airport on Sunday.
At least five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, 6 September, local officials said.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” in its war against Iran had changed “before it is too late”, a day after Washington struck several Iranian tankers in the Gulf.
Two Greek military pilots were killed on Saturday when an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air show at Tanagra air base, north of Athens, officials said.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
A battle over the future of the European Union’s diplomatic service is deepening divisions over who controls the bloc’s foreign policy, as EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas pushes back against plans to overhaul her service.
The Strait of Hormuz is moving into a more complicated stage of the U.S.-Iran war. Tehran says it will establish a new restricted maritime zone around the waterway, while Iran and Oman are preparing to formalise a separate shipping route intended to restore at least part of commercial traffic.
The European Union is preparing to boost investment in Greenland, as Brussels moves to deepen political and economic ties with the Arctic territory amid growing strategic competition involving the U.S., Russia and China.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said a newly commissioned destroyer will become part of the country's nuclear response system, capable of delivering what he described as “annihilating retaliatory strikes”.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment