The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a potentially catastrophic combination of Ebola outbreaks and ongoing armed conflict.
According to the WHO chief, the worsening security situation in eastern Congo is severely undermining efforts to contain the spread of Ebola, while violence and displacement are making it difficult for health workers to reach affected communities.
The warning comes as attacks on medical centres, aid workers, and Ebola treatment facilities continue to increase in conflict-hit areas of the country. Health officials say fear, misinformation, and insecurity are driving resistance to medical interventions and vaccination campaigns.
The WHO also expressed concern that the ongoing fighting between armed groups and government forces could accelerate the spread of the virus across borders, especially into neighboring countries with fragile healthcare systems.
Medical experts warned that overcrowded displacement camps, weak sanitation, and limited access to healthcare are creating conditions that could worsen both the humanitarian crisis and the Ebola outbreak.
The organization called for urgent international support to strengthen healthcare operations, protect medical workers, and improve humanitarian access in affected regions.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks over the years, but officials say the current situation is particularly dangerous because of the combination of disease, conflict, and political instability.