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With an increase in new cases, the epidemic has claimed more than 1,200 lives and is threatening to spread to other eastern provinces and neighboring countries. One third of those infected are children. a higher proportion than in previous epidemics.
Until the middle of this month, the number of cases, according to UN figures, stood at 1,847 (1,759 confirmed and 88 probable). In total, there were 1,223 deaths (1,135 confirmed and 88 probable) and 487 people survived the deadly virus.
"The Ebola response operates in an environment of unprecedented complexity to respond to a public health emergency. Insecurity and political protests have caused periodic disruption of our efforts to fight the disease, "said David Gressly, EERC, also MONUSCO, the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC.
Although the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have supported the efforts of the government and Congo to contain the virus in some provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, persistent insecurity and Mistrust of the community continues to impede access. This prevents the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health from detecting, treating and vaccinating the sick, which will ultimately lead to more intense transmission of the Ebola virus.
The increasingly complex environment has prompted the United Nations, in partnership with the Government and other entities, to strengthen its political commitment and operational support to negotiate better access to communities; increase support for humanitarian coordination; and strengthen preparedness and preparedness planning for the Goma region and neighboring countries.
For its part, WHO is adapting its public health strategies to identify and treat people as quickly as possible; expand immunization to more people; and redouble efforts to curb the transmissions of health facilities.
The heart of the problem
Stressing that "a strengthened response at the UN level is needed to overcome these operational constraints," Mr. Gressly stressed that "this includes the transfer of senior management and decision making. operational decisions at the epicenter of the outbreak in Butembo ", where the Secretary General António Guterres has put in place a mechanism for coordination and strengthened support.
Additional United Nations measures will strengthen the vital work of NGOs and field agencies, including UNICEF, which is leading community engagement activities; provide psychosocial interventions; and help prevent infections through water supply, sanitation and hygiene services.
In addition, enhanced financial planning and reporting will be accelerated to ensure the sustainable and predictable funding required for a strategic Ebola response plan.
"This support from the entire system and the international community is exactly what the WHO asked for," said Ibrahima Socé Fall, Deputy Director General of the United Nations emergency interventions. Recognizing that the response to the outbreak must belong to "the local population", he was encouraged by the fact that the new approach reflects what has been requested, namely "better safety for patients and health wider access to vaccination and a more humane face for all, the answer ".
Dr. Fall has been in Butembo since the end of March and worked alongside the WHO Director for Ebola Incidents, Dr. Michel Yao. In the capital, Kinshasa, WHO commissioned Dr. Peter Graaff to coordinate with his partners. WHO will also continue to coordinate public health interventions implemented by other United Nations partners.
As an EERC, Gressly will work closely with WHO as he continues to underpin the government's response by leading all health operations and technical support activities.
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