WHO Chief Calls For Congo Ceasefire Amid Ebola Outbreak

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has appealed to armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to observe a temporary ceasefire to enable health workers reach communities affected by the Ebola outbreak in Ituri province.

In a personal message addressed to residents of the region on Thursday, Tedros said he was speaking not only as WHO chief but also as someone familiar with the area and deeply concerned about the wellbeing of its people, assuring communities that they are not alone in the crisis.

He recalled his involvement during the 2018–2020 Ebola outbreak in North Kivu, noting that he visited affected communities multiple times during what he described as one of the most difficult outbreaks, worsened by armed conflict, displacement, and attacks on health facilities.

According to him, the current outbreak in Ituri is unfolding under similarly fragile conditions, with more than 90 per cent of reported cases linked to the province, while additional infections have been recorded in North Kivu and South Kivu. He said residents are already facing insecurity, hunger, poverty, and other diseases.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Tedros praised the resilience of communities in eastern Congo and urged young people to take active roles in spreading awareness about Ebola prevention, including educating families and friends on early reporting and treatment.

He also commended frontline health workers for continuing to provide services despite daily risks, stressing that insecurity remains a major obstacle to containing the outbreak, as violence and displacement continue to limit access to affected populations.

The WHO chief made a direct appeal to armed groups in the region to suspend hostilities, even temporarily, to allow humanitarian teams reach vulnerable communities. He warned that continued fighting would worsen the crisis and increase preventable deaths.

Tedros further revealed that the outbreak is caused by the Ebola Bundibugyo strain, unlike previous outbreaks linked to the Ebola Zaire strain, for which vaccines and treatments are available. He noted that while no approved vaccine or treatment currently exists for the Bundibugyo strain, early supportive care can still save lives.

He added that plans are underway for a visit to Bunia as WHO and the Congolese government intensify efforts to contain the outbreak amid fears of wider regional spread.