UN: Armed groups hamper Ebola response in DR Congo

UN Headquarters, New York (ANTARA) - The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on Wednesday (17/6) that armed groups are causing disruptions to Ebola response efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

OCHA noted that several groups have even briefly detained humanitarian aid workers. They reported that five emergency response officers were held for a short period on Tuesday (16/6) by armed groups in Ituri Province, which is currently the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak, accounting for more than 90 per cent of all confirmed cases.

OCHA added that access to aid in South Kivu Province remains very limited in several areas, as ongoing fighting continues to force civilians to flee. Nearly 20,000 people were forced to leave their homes on Monday (15/6) following clashes in the Mwenga and Shabunda regions.

Displaced families currently require food assistance, shelter, healthcare, clean drinking water, and protection.

Meanwhile, in the Fizi region, humanitarian access remains under pressure due to repeated disruptions by armed groups, which continue to threaten both aid deliveries and the safety of humanitarian workers, according to OCHA.

In South Kivu alone, between January and May, at least 57 incidents were recorded that directly affected humanitarian workers, including threats to staff, disruptions to aid delivery, and movement restrictions.

“Despite these immense challenges, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue to support national authorities in curbing the spread of the outbreak and providing assistance. Nevertheless, humanitarian personnel cannot operate safely without security guarantees,” said OCHA.

The UN has once again called upon all parties to protect civilians and ensure safe, rapid, and unimpeded access to those in need.