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GENEVA, March 23 (Xinhua) – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday called for urgent global support to address the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) , while the number of infected cases approaches 1,000.
Since the outbreak of Ebola was reported in the DRC in August 2018, the number of confirmed and probable cases has risen to 993, resulting in 621 deaths.
Although more than 96,000 people have been vaccinated in the country and more than 44 million cross-border screenings have slowed the spread of the Ebola virus, the risk of national and regional spread remains very high, especially when episodes Violence and instability have an impact on the response, the WHO warned in a statement.
"This epidemic has been going on for too long, and we owe it to the people of North Kivu to work with them in solidarity not only to end this epidemic, but also to build health systems that address the many other their health every day, "said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
At present, the United Nations Health Agency has more than 700 people in the DRC to address the concerns of affected communities. But "their fear of violence is now compounded by the fear of Ebola," said Dr. Tedros.
The WHO chief has promised that despite the increase in attacks by armed groups, WHO will "stay the course and work with communities to end this epidemic in collaboration with the Ministry of the World Health Organization." Health and its partners ".
"We need renewed support from the international community and a commitment to act together to end this epidemic," he added, citing a financial need for $ 148 million for the next six months, even if it's only half. or $ 74 million had been received by March 19.
WHO has urged donors to help fill the funding gap in order to end the epidemic as soon as possible.
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