Attacks on Ebola Treatment Centers in Eastern Congo
KINSHASA, Congo — Recent assaults on Ebola treatment facilities in eastern Congo highlight the significant hurdles that health authorities are encountering, particularly a backlash from local communities, as they aim to control an outbreak of the disease that has been classified as a global health emergency.
On Sunday, officials reported that suspected cases had exceeded 900 in the eastern region, especially in Ituri Province, the center of the ongoing outbreak. That night, a group of angry youths attacked a hospital in Monbgwalu, which was treating Ebola patients, according to the hospital director.
The attackers insisted on retrieving the bodies of two relatives, Dr. Richard Lokudu noted. As gunfire erupted in the vicinity, medical staff rushed to move patients to safety, with uncertainty surrounding any injuries resulting from the chaos.
The recent assault, along with arson at two nearby health centers just last week, reflects rising anger in a region plagued by violence from armed groups, mass displacement, ineffective local governance, and cuts to international aid that have left health facilities in vulnerable communities under-resourced.
“A devastating set of emergencies are converging,” remarked the nonprofit Physicians for Human Rights.
To grasp the full context, it’s essential to consider the longstanding crises in eastern Congo, which has become one of the worst humanitarian disasters globally. These issues are now hindering responses to the rare Ebola outbreak.
Eastern Congo has long been subjected to attacks from numerous rebel and militant factions, some connected to foreign entities or extremist groups like the Islamic State. The Rwandan-backed M23 rebels hold sway over parts of the region, while the Congolese government maintains a fragile grip on northeastern Ituri Province, the outbreak’s epicenter. The Allied Democratic Forces, a Ugandan Islamist group affiliated with IS, have also been responsible for violent acts against civilians in the area.
Even before the outbreak, Doctors Without Borders reported that insecurity in Ituri was escalating, prompting healthcare providers to flee, which has resulted in overwhelmed medical facilities facing dire conditions.
According to the U.N. humanitarian office, nearly a million people have fled their homes due to conflicts in Ituri. This context means the current Ebola outbreak is unfolding in communities already grappling with insecurity and fragile healthcare infrastructures.
Health officials have raised alarms about the potential spread of the disease to large displacement camps near Bunia, where initial cases were identified. The Ministry of Communication reported 904 suspected Ebola cases as of Sunday, a notable rise from the earlier tally of over 700. However, there were discrepancies in the reported death tolls, as the ministry claimed 119 suspected deaths while regional sums indicated 220. No immediate clarification was available from officials.
Other suspected cases have also emerged in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, both under M23 control, as well as in Uganda. Consequently, the management of the outbreak is a collaboration between the government and rebel authorities, with various aid organizations involved in the response.
Experts pointed out that international aid cuts last year, particularly from the U.S. and other wealthy nations, severely impacted the region, hindering its ability to tackle infectious disease outbreaks effectively. Such cuts diminished resources for monitoring and responding to health emergencies.
Aid groups on the ground indicate they are lacking essential equipment like face shields, protective suits, testing kits, and body bags for safely handling highly infectious victims. Julienne Lusenge, head of an aid organization operating near Bunia, stated, “We only have hand sanitizer and a few masks for the nurses.”
The particular strain of the Ebola virus responsible for this outbreak lacks an approved vaccine or treatment. Colin Thomas-Jensen from the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative suggested the attacks on treatment facilities could stem from a deeply rooted skepticism among the community about how they have been treated over the years, compounded by ongoing violence from foreign-linked rebel groups and failures from both the government and international peacekeepers.
Community frustration has also been fueled by strict protocols regarding the burial of suspected Ebola victims. Authorities are attempting to oversee burials to prevent the virus’s further spread amid traditional practices that often involve family preparations and gatherings.
In response to the crisis, authorities in northeastern Congo have banned funeral wakes and gatherings of over 50 people, with armed forces overseeing certain burials performed by aid workers.
