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Escalating violence displaces thousands in eastern DRC as Ebola cases rise, UN says
Summary
UN OCHA reported nearly 20,000 people were forced from their homes after clashes in eastern DRC and said Ebola remains concentrated in Ituri and the Kivu provinces with 29 new confirmed cases reported on June 15, bringing the total to 837; five Ebola response workers were briefly detained.
The United Nations reported on Thursday that renewed fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo forced nearly 20,000 people from their homes and that an ongoing Ebola outbreak continues to challenge response operations.
An agency official said that in clashes on June 15 in Winga and Shabunda territories roughly 20,000 people were displaced and urgently need food, shelter, health care and protection. The official added that access for humanitarian work "remains heavily restricted in several areas" by fighting and interference from armed groups.
On the public health front, the briefing cited national health authorities reporting 29 new confirmed Ebola cases as of June 15, bringing the cumulative case count to 837 in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. The official also said five Ebola response workers were briefly detained by armed groups yesterday in Ituri, hampering containment efforts.
Why it matters: the combination of active fighting and constraints on humanitarian access risks worsening a complex emergency that includes infectious disease control, protection and basic services.
Ending: The UN said it will continue to support national authorities and humanitarian partners but warned that personnel cannot operate safely without security guarantees.
