Red Cross responds to Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

An Ebola outbreak in Equateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was confirmed on May 8, 2018. The Red Cross is on the ground, bringing stocks of life-saving equipment and supplies to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Thanks to the support of the Government of Canada and our donors, Canadian Red Cross aid workers including team leader Chiran Livera, rapid response manager Marie Munoz and communications worker France Hurtubise,  will be joining the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT) as they work to determine the support that is needed to help respond to this outbreak.

 Red Cross teams, including 110 volunteers from the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross, are currently helping to provide essential items like stretchers, chlorine disinfectant, safe burial kits, informational posters, and other supplies to local communities and health centres.

Community volunteers are critically important to stopping the spread of Ebola, especially in remote areas. Volunteers are working to alert communities, and disinfect houses where cases are suspected. Local volunteers are also ready to help provide safe and dignified burials, if needed, this management of dead bodies is incredibly important to an effective Ebola response.

The IFRC and local Red Cross Societies will be using the lessons learned during the West Africa Ebola response, including local knowledge, community partnerships, and the experience of the local Red Cross volunteers who have an understanding of the unique needs of their communities.

Learn more about Ebola here.

Canadians wishing to support the Red Cross response to Ebola can make a financial donation to the International Disaster Relief Fund.

Donations to this fund allow us to respond within hours of a disaster or emergency. This flexibility is essential to help minimize suffering through the quicker delivery of supplies to those in need.