Ebola cases globally have surpassed 1,000, with children accounting for 15% of confirmed cases and over 25% of deaths. UNICEF chief Catherine Russell emphasizes children’s reliance on caregivers, making them especially vulnerable during this outbreak.
In Ituri province, over 130 children have lost one or both parents. UNICEF reports these children are surrounded by misinformation, exacerbating their distress. Despite improved testing capacity, insecurity hampers effective surveillance and contact tracing.
UNICEF has initiated support for 135 orphaned children in Ituri, providing psychosocial care and opening a nursery for those separated from their families. An urgent $70.7 million funding appeal aims to bolster the preventative response.
The World Health Organization has established an Ebola isolation unit at Bunia Central Prison to manage potential outbreaks in a confined setting. Built collaboratively with community members, the facility enhances infection control and provides reassurance against rapid virus transmission.
WHO stresses the importance of infection prevention in prisons, highlighting the need for robust measures to protect inmates and the surrounding community.