Accounting for 15 percent of confirmed cases and more than 25 percent of deaths since the April outbreak, children are almost twice as likely to die as adults, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
“Children are particularly vulnerable because they depend on caregivers and cannot distance themselves from a sick parent or sibling in the same way as an adult,” said UNICEF Director Catherine Russell.
“To better protect children, we need sustainable access and the resources to reach every affected community. »
Combating instability and misinformation online
More than 130 children have already lost one or both parents in Ituri, the origin and epicenter of the current epidemic.
“Our teams in Ituri have met children who have lost their mothers, and in some cases both parents, to Ebola,” Ms Russell said.
“Children are trying to make sense of the threat while surrounded by rumors and misinformation online. »
Although testing capabilities have recently improved, surveillance and contact tracing remain limited, particularly due to insecurity and access restrictions in a turbulent region marked by clashes between government forces and armed groups.
A new nursery welcomes Ebola orphans
Ituri province, particularly the health zones of Mongbwalu, Rwampara and Bunia, remains the epicenter, with cases also reported in North Kivu and South Kivu.
In Ituri, 135 children orphaned by the epidemic are receiving support, including psychosocial care, referral to essential social services and alternative care arrangements, said UNICEF, which also opened a daycare as a safe space for young people separated from their parents or guardians and plans to operate two more soon.
Calling for immediate, safe and sustainable humanitarian access to affected communities, UNICEF is initially seeking $70.7 million for its six-month response, of which $20 million remains unfunded, as part of the multi-stakeholder continental Ebola preparedness and response plan aimed at containing the spread of the disease.
WHO and Blue Helmets build a health unit at Bunia prison
Behind the blue walls of Bunia central prison in Ituri, where 2,000 inmates live, the World Health Organization (WHO) has built an Ebola isolation and care unit as part of its support to DRC health authorities to end the ongoing epidemic.
“The project was carried out in close collaboration with members of the local community, with the majority of the workforce comprised of prisoners who contributed their skills and labor, demonstrating the positive impact of community engagement and rehabilitation efforts in strengthening the local health response,” explains Michele Di Marco, technical coordinator and architect of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Built in collaboration with the UN Peacekeeping Mission MONUSCO, the four-bed temporary isolation unit aims to provide safe clinical care, protect the health of detainees and staff and help prevent the spread of the virus, which the UN health agency says is “an investment in preparedness”.
Protection beyond prison walls
Strict infection prevention and control measures are essential in prison settings, where overcrowding, frequent travel and close social interactions can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases such as Ebola, the WHO said.
For prison officials, the facility provides some assurance against a disease that can spread quickly if left undetected, the WHO said.
By integrating Ebola preparedness into routine health services, the UN health agency said authorities are strengthening their capacity to respond quickly to public health threats while maintaining essential care for detainees.
While Bunia detainees regularly interact with visitors, gather in shared spaces and participate in activities such as soccer matches, WHO said such environments make it essential to maintain robust prevention, testing and preparedness measures to reduce transmission risks. This protects both the inmate population and the broader community, the agency said.
