HI mobilizes to respond to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda

On May 15, 2026, the World Health Organization declared a new Ebola outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, and emphasised the international public health emergency posed by its spread. Right away, HI mobilized in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, in the field where the outbreak is spreading most rapidly, to contribute to the humanitarian response and help communities in need.

In the DRC, supporting logistical efforts to coordinate the response in the east of the country

A worrying outbreak, difficult to contain

This 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC is particularly worrying: the virus strain, Bundibugyo, is quite rare and there is currently no treatment available to cure those affected. Controlling the outbreak therefore relies entirely on early detection, care, and effective prevention measures within exposed communities. According to the WHO, as of June 8, 101 people have died from the disease, and more than 550 confirmed cases have been identified. 

“The spread of the Ebola outbreak is occurring against a backdrop of prolonged crisis in eastern DRC, marked by chronic insecurity and population displacement... In North Kivu and Ituri, access constraints, persistent insecurity, and challenges regarding community acceptance are limiting response efforts, while a health system weakened by years of conflict and underinvestment is struggling to respond effectively to the scale of the crisis,” explains Baptiste de Gaillande, HI’s Country Director in the DRC.

Furthermore, humanitarian workers are faced with mistrust from the local population: patients are leaving hospitals without permission, and acts of violence are being directed at health centers. Awareness plays a crucial role in making the affected communities aware of the risks involved and in containing the epidemic as effectively as possible.

It is in the east of the country that HI, through Atlas Logistique, its unit specializing in delivering aid to the most difficult areas, is focusing its response – in the Ituri province, where the epidemic is spreading most rapidly.

Transport, storage, and supply… multiple logistical challenges

On May 18, teams from HI and Atlas Logistique began working with several humanitarian partners, notably the organizations Alima, Première Urgence Internationale, and Medair, to organize aid transport flows and store the delivered supplies: protective equipment against the virus, tents to isolate patients and provide first aid, medicine, and hand sanitizer. In total, Atlas Logistique transported over 11 tons of supplies from Goma to the town of Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Sophie Aït Belaïd, Head of Operations for Atlas Logistique in the DRC, adds: “This response is quite complex; we have adapted our vehicle fleet and are using lighter vehicles, such as Landcruisers. This allows us to get through more easily when the road conditions are poor, but it forces us to make more frequent return journeys. It requires organization, but above all a great deal of time and, consequently, more money.”

She continues: “It can take us up to 10 days to reach Beni from Goma, depending on road conditions and the security situation. It takes another day to reach the town of Bunia in Ituri. Unfortunately, the humanitarian storage facilities in Bunia are quickly becoming full, and many organizations are asking us to store their supplies in Beni, in North Kivu.”

Following an initial rapid mobilization, humanitarian organizations are now striving to organize a coordinated regional response to limit the spread of the epidemic, although they face many unknowns. Several shipments of medical aid are on their way from Europe and the Middle East, though neither their arrival date nor their final destination has yet been clearly established. This uncertainty complicates the preparation of teams, the pre-positioning of stocks and the organization of interventions. In a public health emergency, the entire supply chain comes under pressure.

Leaving no one behind

As for activities in the rest of the country, risk analysis and adaptation measures have been carried out to ensure their continuity while minimizing risks to patients, partners, and HI teams.

Protective equipment has been made available to staff. Preventive measures, such as handwashing, temperature checks, and the wearing of masks, gloves and other protective equipment have been stepped up, and messages raising awareness of how to prevent Ebola have been incorporated into activities.

“Restrictions on air and cross-border travel, from the very first days of the crisis, as well as the introduction of extensive checks by the authorities, are limiting the deployment of teams, the importation and delivery of supplies to the epicenter of the crisis. Progress has recently been made with the reopening of certain routes and discussions with neighboring countries to allow humanitarian workers through, but these advances do not yet restore the access needed for an effective response in the most affected areas,” concludes Baptiste de Gaillande, HI’s Country Director in the DRC.

In Uganda, focusing on people with disabilities

Living with a disability during an epidemic: an additional risk factor

While Uganda appears, for the time being, to be less affected by the Ebola outbreak than neighboring DRC, people with disabilities there—as in many other countries around the world—face multiple barriers to accessing healthcare. They are at significant risk of being excluded from awareness campaigns – which are crucial when an outbreak occurs – either because of inaccessible formats or due to deeply rooted discrimination. This means that vital health information may never reach them, thereby increasing the risks they face as the outbreak spreads.

“Some people with disabilities, particularly those with conditions related to their disability, face a significantly higher risk of developing a severe form of the disease or dying if they are exposed to the virus. Many people with disabilities also rely on caregivers for their daily care, which makes it even more difficult to avoid physical contact, the main route of transmission of the disease” adds Pauline Nadim-Ducos, HI’s Country Director in Uganda.

Adapting existing activities

HI has been present in Uganda since 2009 and works primarily with people with disabilities and refugee populations, who are at a high risk of exposure to the virus due to their more fragile health and often extremely precarious living conditions.

To support the population in the face of the Bundibugyo virus, HI has helped create multilingual and accessible tools so that as many people as possible can access information on prevention and care related to Ebola. In total, more than 2,500 posters have been printed and distributed in the districts of Terego, Maracha, Nebbi, Pakwach, Koboko, Kasese and Yumbe. Furthermore, HI broadcast a series of Ebola prevention messages on the radio during health programs. These were broadcast in the refugee camps where our teams operate.

HI has also trained partners and organizations of people with disabilities in inclusive preparedness and response to the ongoing health emergency. Finally, our teams have provided several infrared thermometers to healthcare workers in the refugee camps in Terego district and 600 protective gowns to isolation unit teams caring for patients with the disease.

Going the extra mile to meet the needs of as many people as possible

In addition to the initiatives already underway, HI has planned a range of activities to maximize the impact of its response and limit the spread of the epidemic. If these are implemented, more than 19,300 people with disabilities would be supported.

This response would include water, hygiene and sanitation activities, such as the installation of handwashing facilities accessible to all, in places where needs are still largely unmet, like markets, schools, and health centers. At the same time, HI intends to train teams from around ten partner organizations in good inclusive hygiene practices in the context of an epidemic.

“In addition to our activities, it is crucial that we participate in discussions on the situation to ensure that disability-inclusive approaches are integrated into the response of other humanitarian organizations, resource allocation, and decision-making at all levels” adds Pauline Nadim-Ducos, HI’s Country Director in Uganda.

HI is also developing a major awareness-raising initiative: mobile campaigns using vehicles to broadcast recorded prevention messages, as well as broadcasts on local radio. In addition, HI teams would provide mental health support to those experiencing the consequences of the epidemic, particularly people with disabilities and their caregivers. Finally, financial aid distributions will be organized to support communities and ensure they have access to food and basic services.