DRC Ebola cases surge amid hunger crisis, WHO warns

• The DRC is battling the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, with over 3,200 cases reported and 48 health zones affected.
• Hunger is actively undermining efforts to contain the spread of Ebola, with nearly 10 million people facing crisis- or emergency-level hunger in eastern DRC.
• The humanitarian response plan is only 45 percent funded, with the WFP requiring $293.6 million over the next six months to sustain all operations in DRC.

'Roughly 60 percent of deaths are occurring in the community, at the point when viral load -- and risk to caregivers -- is highest.' - Julien Harneis, UN's Senior Ebola Coordinator

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a dual crisis, with the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record coinciding with a severe hunger crisis. The World Health Organization's (WHO) modeling indicates that the true scale of the outbreak could be two to four times higher than the reported 3,200 cases, with 48 health zones across five provinces in eastern DRC affected. The virus is spreading rapidly, with over 80 percent of new cases coming from unknown chains of transmission. This has led to a significant increase in deaths occurring outside of health facilities, where viral load and risk to caregivers are highest. According to Julien Harneis, the UN's Senior Ebola Coordinator, 'Roughly 60 percent of deaths are occurring in the community, at the point when viral load -- and risk to caregivers -- is highest.'

Hunger is actively undermining efforts to contain the spread of Ebola. The World Food Programme (WFP) has emphasized that food assistance is critical to containing the outbreak, as it helps families stay home, supports safe isolation, and builds trust with communities. In eastern DRC, nearly 10 million people are facing crisis- or emergency-level hunger, with Ituri being the epicenter of both the outbreak and the hunger hotspot. The WFP has delivered over 160,000 hot meals to patients and frontline workers across 17 treatment and isolation centers, as well as providing dry food rations to 23,000 people under quarantine.

Despite the urgent need for funding, the humanitarian response plan is only 45 percent funded. The WFP requires $293.6 million over the next six months to sustain all operations in DRC, including $76 million for regional Ebola responses and $50 million for food and nutrition assistance. Carl Skau, acting director of the WFP, emphasized that 'you cannot force people to choose between hunger and health.' The international community is urged not to lose focus, as Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu warned: 'now is not the time to drop the ball.'

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the humanitarian needs and response plan for the DRC, as underfunded crises like this can lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and potential liability for organizations operating in affected areas.

Source: Original reporting via United Nations