Ebola Outbreak: Children Suffering across Africa

UNICEF scaling up efforts to protect and support children and families following Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. It is believed that circulation of this particular Ebola virus might have started in late April.

Complicated by ongoing conflict, access constraints, and high population displacement are increasing the risk of rapid transmission across affected and neighbouring areas. Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of Ebola outbreaks, including disruptions to essential needs, loss of parents and caregivers, stigma, psychosocial distress, and increased protection risks.

UNICEF has already mobilised nearly 50 tonnes of infection prevention and control supplies, such as disinfectants and soaps, personal protective equipment, and water purification tablets and water tanks to Bunia. A multidisciplinary Emergency Rapid Response team is also arriving imminently to provide technical assistance in priority areas, including support for risk communication and community engagement activities aimed at amplifying communication to help families understand how Ebola is transmitted and how to reduce the risk of infection. Over 2,000 community health workers are already in place, but additional capacity and resources are urgently needed to ensure effective coverage, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

In response to the outbreak, UNICEF has activated its highest emergency classification to support children and families affected by the outbreak. UNICEF works collaboratively with partners, including WHO and Africa CDC, in support of government lead responses.

Every Ebola outbreak places children at risk – not only from the virus itself, but from the wider disruption to health, nutrition, education and protection systems. UNICEF is calling for immediate, safe and sustained humanitarian access to affected communities, particularly in eastern DRC, to enable us to reach vulnerable children and families.

Donate today and help vulnerable children survive the crisis.