They denounce that in the Congo, they demand sexual favors in exchange for the Ebola vaccine.

The experimental vaccine against Ebola virus distributed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the hope of containing the recent epidemic he offered in exchange for badual favors and moneyas indicated by many NGOs operating in the African country.

The revelation has darkened a vaccination program described as "highly effective" by the World Health Organization (WHO)and generate in turn alack of trust in health workers responsible for dose distribution, as reported by the British newspaper on Tuesday The Guardian, reinforcing the danger that the epidemic will enlarge.

According to testimonies of women gathered by many NGOs, Gender-based violence has increased significantly since the beginning of the Ebola outbreak in August. In particular, the demand for badual favors for women in exchange for different medical services, including the application of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, promoted by WHO.

This situation adds to levels of violence and stigma against women that were already rising. According to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), it is usual for women be blamed for not preventing the spread of the virus, that since August has infected at least 811 people, killing 510 people and threatening to become an epidemic.

Women also have greater responsibility than men. says this NGO because in the Congo they are supposed to take care of the sick and teach the children to wash their hands. As a result, not only are they exhausted and traumatized, but they feel guilty in case of new homes.

"We will take these conclusions and work with our partners to address emerging issues and ensure that women and girls are protected.", the IRC said after publishing a report based on more than 30 groups.

At the same time, Tina Helderman, a health and nutrition consultant to Medair's Global Emergency Response Team, recalled that "the Congo region has long been experiencing badual violence and Exploitation of women and girls ".

"Although this is shocking, this situation could have been anticipated. Humanitarian actors should have been better prepared to put in place security measures and prevent this from happening", he said, according to The Guardian.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Congo responded to complaints and He asked people to report any cases in which they would ask for money or other types of favors in exchange for vaccines and treatments.

In addition, he recommended to women only deal with workers who wear an official badge.

Risks for the vaccination program

WHO warns that the Ebola outbreak is not under control and that due to political instability, a long history of civil war, the presence of tens of thousands of refugees and the multitude of dialects spoken in the country create "a storm of factors at the expense" to generate an expansion of the virus which could reach Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan.

In such a context, the deterioration in the image of health agencies and local authorities due to these cases of sale and treatment of vaccines has a negative impact the scope of the program.

"Throughout the country there are many, many people who do not believe that the Ebola virus is real, that it is a way for humanitarian organizations to make money or that it has been used as an excuse to postpone the electionssaid Eva Erlach of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Outbreaks and endless wars

The current outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been detected August 1, 2018 after confirming four cases in the Kivu region, in the northeast, and continues today. There are 811 confirmed cases, 510 deaths and 200 others under suspicion.

Between May and July of the same year Another outbreak has been detected and contained in the province of Ecuador, to the northwest. On this occasion, there were 38 confirmed cases, 16 probable and 33 deaths.

Kivu is also at the center of the most recent and most persistent civil war in Congo., which has caused in recent years tens of thousands of deaths and more than one million refugees.

In December 2018, the presidential elections were finally held after two years of postponements of the former president Joseph Kabila. Felix Tshisekedi, a member of an opposition party, was the winner.